Premier Li Chang Visits Belarus Following Russia, Meets with Lukashenko
‘Moscow = Yonhap News Agency correspondent Choi In-young reported that Russia and China, both under Western economic sanctions, have agreed to strengthen trade and financial cooperation, including enhancing payment infrastructure, according to an announcement made on the 22nd local time.
According to TASS and Ria Novosti news agencies, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Chinese Premier Li Chang stated in a joint statement at the 29th regular meeting that they plan to “strengthen payment infrastructure by opening proxy accounts and establishing bank branches and subsidiaries in each other’s countries.”
They also explained that they agreed to deepen practical financial cooperation to ensure the sustainability of bilateral trade by maintaining a high proportion of national currency settlements in bilateral trade, investment, and economic transactions.
The two sides also emphasized that “a country has the right to take retaliatory measures against plans to seize the assets and properties of a foreign country.
Russia has faced difficulties in international payments due to the economic sanctions imposed by the West following the ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine. It has also expressed opposition to the freezing of Russian assets by the United States and European countries, using the proceeds to support Ukraine with weapons and reconstruction.
China, too, has faced friction due to U.S. trade sanctions related to oversupply and other issues.
The prime ministers of both countries also expressed their opposition to unilateral discriminatory measures that weaken market competition and disrupt global production and supply chains. They also announced their goal to complete negotiations on promoting capital investment and mutual protection agreements as soon as possible and sign them by the end of this year.
They agreed to deepen cooperation in the exploration, production, processing, and transportation of oil, gas, and coal, support the construction and operation of oil and gas pipelines between the two countries, and develop cooperation in the power sector and new energy projects.
The joint statement also included a statement supporting Russia’s ‘One-China’ policy and strongly opposing Taiwan’s independence.
The 30th Russia-China Premier’s Meeting will be held in China next year.
Prime Ministers Mishustin and Li had a meeting the day before, and the joint statement was released through the Russian government’s website on that day.
After meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin the day before, Premier Li moved to Belarus with the farewell of Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko. Premier Li is visiting Belarus for two days until the 23rd.
In Minsk, Belarus, President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with Premier Li, and according to TASS, President Lukashenko said that “Belarus and China’s all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership has reached its highest level in history” during Premier Li’s visit.
President Lukashenko mentioned that during Premier Li’s visit, the two countries plan to sign agreements on establishing a free trade zone and investment-related agreements.
During his meeting with Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, Premier Li said, “China is ready to firmly support being a true friend and good partner to protect each other’s core interests with Belarus.”
abbie@yna.co.kr