Belarusian gem of Chinese ‘way’

Belarus is ready to become a strategic junction within the Chinese concept of Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.


The concept aims to revive and develop the spirit of the ancient Silk Road, furthering trade and economic relations between China and the Eurasian states, to the benefit of all. Belarus’ participation within this economic zone was the main point on the agenda of recent Belarus-China negotiations.

Alexander Lukashenko and Xi Jinping have signed an agreement on friendship and co-operation between Belarus and the Peoples Republic of China. Minsk and Beijing are to jointly promote the Silk Road economic zone, expanding co-operation in such spheres as trade, finance, investment, science and technology, energy, space, transport, IT, agriculture and humanitarian issues, to mutual benefit and advantage. Meanwhile, they agree to preserve the peace, safety and stability of the Eurasian region.

Most Chinese financing and credit resources are being directed towards infra-structure and industrial projects, within the limits of the Chinese-Belarusian Great Stone Industrial Park, and towards the development of small and medium-sized businesses in Belarus.

According to the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China, Belarus is an important strategic junction at the centre of Europe, possessing unique advantages for the development of the economic zone of the Silk Road. Belarus’ importance has grown following the destabilisation in Ukraine, with its military-political conflict: previously considered to be a strategic partner for China in Europe.

The Ukrainian crisis has obliged China to freeze (or even end) major projects in this country, including the building of an industrial park and deep-water seaport in Crimea. Now, China has transferred its attention from Ukraine to Belarus: as a more stable and reliable state. Over the last year, Belarus-China co-operation has stepped up considerably, especially within the limits of the Great Stone Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park.

Following the state visit of the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China, the Great Stone is to become a gem of in the Silk Road economic belt, underlining the strategic character of the project for China.

Belarus boasts a well-developed railway network, as well as automobile infrastructure, and close proximity to the Baltic and Black Sea ports, making a perfect transport-logistical economic junction. It enjoys good relations with the Baltic and Black Sea ports, allowing Belarus to connect the 21st century Silk Road with the sea.


China Merchants Group, which works in the field of transport and logistics, real estate and finance, plans to spend $500 billion on constructing a logistics centre within the Chinese-Belarusian Great Stone Industrial Park. The company has signed memorandums on co-operation with the Port of Klaipėda, as well as with Lithuanian Railways and with the Kaunas free economic zone. Successful realisation of the project should inspire further transport-logistical infrastructure development across the region.

The Minsk visit by the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China is evidence of the strategic nature of our partnership, which has an ambitious agenda of future co-operation. The impact will be significant: not only on Belarus, but upon the whole region.