China, Belarus sign market economy deal
By Cao Desheng (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-12-06 05:52

Responding to the Chinese president, Lukashenko said his country is committed to boosting economic links with China.

"Annual bilateral trade has hit US$500 million and we are determined to bring our trade turnover to US$ 1 billion," Lukashenko said.

It is his third visit to China as president of Belarus.

"China, as a rising economic powerhouse, can help the Belarusian economy grow faster," as economic and trade co-operation is the main dimension of Belarus-China ties, Lukashenko told Xinhua News Agency in the Belarusian capital Minsk on the eve of his visit to China.

China will provide non-reimbursable assistance as well as preferential loans to Belarus, according to the agreements signed yesterday.

Lukashenko is expected to meet with other senior Chinese officials today including top legislator Wu Bangguo, Vice-Premier Huang Ju, and Liu Qi, secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China.

He will wrap up his visit to China after attending the opening ceremony of the "Cultural Day of Belarus" in Beijing this evening.