Li Peng, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said in Beijing Thursday that China hopes the bilateral ties between China and Belarus will grow further in the new century.
Li made the remarks in his meeting with A. P. Voitovich, chairman of the House of Republics of the Belarussian National Assembly.
Li said that mutual understanding and support form a solid foundation for the healthy and steady development of China-Belarussian ties, adding that China is pleased to see such development in political, economic and other areas a decade after the two countries forged diplomatic ties.
He said that the two countries have already signed more than 50documents for cooperation and have set up mixed committees for economic affairs and scientific and technological cooperation, respectively, thus enhancing mutual understanding and friendship.
Li thanked Belarus for its support to China on the issues of human rights, Tibet and Taiwan.
Li also spoke highly of the frequent contact and close cooperation between the NPC and the Belarussian National Assembly,saying that such contacts play an important role in the growth of bilateral ties. He welcomed the cooperation between special committees of the Belarussian parliament and their counterparts of the NPC.
Li also briefed the guests on China's policy on anti-terrorism and the admission into the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Voitovich told Li that the Belarussian National Assembly attached importance to its ties with the NPC. He said that the legal basis of the bilateral ties are solid and sound and the Belarussian parliament and the NPC should strengthen their cooperation in law-making for the further progress of such ties.
He congratulated China on its WTO entry and said that his country can learn from China in this area.
He reiterated that Belarus will consistently adhere to the One-China policy and support China's reunification.
(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2002)
