Lukashenko appointed new ambassador to China and first ambassador to Zimbabwe

African countries appreciate Belarus and are keen to liaise, while China is currently one of our country’s main partners – as stated by the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, when making personnel decisions, particularly, during the appointment of the Belarusian Ambassador to the PRC and the Ambassador of Belarus to Zimbabwe

Aleksandr Chervyakov, who has served as Economy Minister since 2020, has been appointed Ambassador of Belarus to the People’s Republic of China. The vacant post of the Belarusian Ambassador to the Republic of Zimbabwe will be occupied by Deputy Chairman of the State Control Committee – Director of the Financial Investigations Department Igor Marshalov.

The Belarusian Head of State outlined why he meets with appointees separately, “These two countries are extremely important. We have built relations with the People’s Republic of China across the main areas, and contacts have been identified. I won’t say that we are building our relations with Zimbabwe from scratch. My last year’s visit (of course, this is not only my merit) and what was done before and after the visit suggests that we still have a lot of work to do there. Although thanks to us, we’ve managed to feed people enough. But there is a lot of work.”

The Belarusian leader underlined that it is necessary to set up a diplomatic mission in Zimbabwe and enter the country more widely, “Moreover, they are really waiting for us. We are appreciated there. We have proven that we are respectable people. They want us to transfer our technologies in machine building and in other areas: construction, healthcare, education (training of personnel is very important), and in the agricultural sector. Zimbabwean neighbours, when they found out and heard (especially Mozambique), really want to liaise with us.”

As far as China is concerned, Aleksandr Lukashenko underlined, addressing Aleksandr Chervyakov, “This is one of our main partners after Russia or together with Russia. They help us both technologically (with the highest technologies) and financially. I assume you’ve already been there and seen what China is like. Experience enables you to raise our relationships to a higher level. Therefore, there will be enough work.”