By Grigory Mityushnikov
Courtesy of CGTN
The state visit of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to Beijing made world news headlines. Chinese President Xi Jinping met with him on March 1.
The two leaders signed a joint statement on developing exemplary relations of all-weather and comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Belarus in the new era. It means that despite global changes, the countries stand committed to supporting each other on the world stage, respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, strengthening resistance to political pressure, while paving the way to more intensive economic interaction.
The recent developments in Ukraine have become one of the key topics of the negotiations. A political settlement to the crisis and cessation of hostilities are the main principles our countries are advocating for. Belarus and China are more concerned about stability in the region than some European countries wielding Cold War rhetoric.
The political and economic mechanisms initiated by Xi are aimed to benefit both countries, as well as boost global prosperity. Accordingly, Belarus endorses China's Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative.
This is Lukashenko's 13th visit to China, and while witnessing the country's development, he is impressed with China's progress in recent decades. Belarus is implementing some of China's know-hows, e.g. free economic zones.
"A meeting between old friends is always pleasing," Xi underlined in the welcoming speech. The talks lasted much longer than planned and resulted in the signing of many documents that would bolster ties in various spheres.
Bilateral relations have gone from strength to strength and were cemented with "all-weather and comprehensive strategic partnership" status, according to Chinese classification. Belarus plays a special role in China's foreign policy in the region and has proven to be a reliable partner that keeps its word and does its utmost to promote common strategic interests in both economic and political spheres. "Expansion of contacts with China is a priority in our foreign policy. Thanks to our joint efforts, the concept of comprehensive strategic partnership has acquired a special meaning in the relations between Belarus and China," said Lukashenko.
Bilateral trade between the countries exceeded all the expectations soaring to almost $6 billion in 2021, and the uprising tendency persists. A medium-sized country, Belarus has become a key partner in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with its "pearl" in the shape of the Great Stone Industrial Park. The infrastructure project brings together 107 residents from all over the world with a $1.3 billion investment plan.
It's often called the City of the Future due to its advanced production facilities, unique housing and administrative buildings, favorable business conditions. The Great Stone Industrial Park is a witness to cooperation between Chinese and Belarusian enterprises. The project couldn't have been realized without the political will of the two leaders that gave the green light to this initiative.
The green light is turned on for China's peacekeeping initiatives, too, which were welcomed in Belarus. Having offered to host talks on the peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict immediately after the launch of the special military operation, Belarus favors fruitful diplomatic outcomes, but these expectations were shattered by a defiant Western attitude.
Moreover, political and economic pressures on Belarus as Russia's closest ally have dramatically increased. That's why, when China weighed in on the conflict by calling on the two sides to cease hostilities, and later on published proposals on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, it gave hope for positive shifts and cooled some hot heads.
According to Lukashenko, the initiative coincides with the Belarusian vision. "We immediately joined the mechanisms to promote it and are ready for joint preparation and implementation of projects in Belarus," he said. But it may not help with a cease fire in the immediate future, but such a position of a global player does matter. Even with the West dismissing the road map's importance and labeling the plan as "not credible," it's clear that this message has been taken into consideration.
The meeting has proven yet again that China-Belarus relations have stood the test of time.
Answer:
Dear Shivendu Paul and Metali Listeners' Club,
dthank you for your comment! We'll send you some of our souvenirs ASAP.
Stay tuned and 73,
RBI
Hallo Radio Belarus,
ja der Dieter Leupold ist jetzt auch hier im Gästebuch vertreten... Super, bald sind wir alle zusammen hier im "Belarus Hörerclub", Dieter könnte 1.Vorsitzender werden und Jana und Elena Ehrernmitglieder, Helmut Matt Schriftführer, Alfred Albrecht Beisitzer und ich mache Hausmeister:-) Lutz Winkler wie fit bist Du bereits wieder, für Dich finden wir auch eine nette Aufgabe:-) Beste Grüße und ein schönes Wochenende.
Dietmar
Answer:
Lieber Dietmar,
das stimmt, für alle finden wir im Hörerklub eine Aufgabe!:)
Liebe Grüße und einen guten Start in die Woche!
I recently learned my surname is not Polish, but Belarusian. I heard you on shortwave in the past and am so happy to listen online in English. We hear nothing about Belarus here in the US so I am so glad to learn about your country. Keep on broadcasting in English. I also joined the Hoererklub on Facebook as I can understand German. If you have information or a station pennant, I will very much appreciate it.
Sheryl Paszkiewicz, 1015 Green St, Manitowoc WI 54220 USA
Answer:
Dear Sheryl, thank you very much for listening to us! We'll send you some of our souvenirs as soon as we can. By the way, if you're interested, you can participate in our "The Old Country's Loving Call" project and send a greeting to Belarus. You can find more detailed information at http://www.radiobelarus.by/en/content/hukaje_eng
Also, in case you like sports, here's the link to an international competition of ours "My Greetings to 2nd European Games" http://www.radiobelarus.by/en/content/games_eng
73 from the entire staff of RBI! Прывiтанне з Малой Радiзмы :)
Hello from Birmingham United Kingdom!
My name is Michael.
I really enjoyed listening to your program on the Hotbird satellite 13e. I very much love listening to your news and current affairs.
Ask you to send me a small gifts. I hope you guys are all good.
Lots of love from UK
Especially enjoying learning about Belarus. History and culture
Michael Rogers
Flat 2 463 City road Birmingham
B17 8LG
United Kingdom
Answer:
Michael,
thank you very much for listening to us! We're glad that you enjoy our programs. We'll send you some of our souvenirs as soon as we can. Best regards and stay tuned!
Hello. I am a new listener to your English service. I listen on the Radio 1 News app. I enjoyed listening to the news. Do you have any information on shortwave broadcasts you can send me?
Thank you,
Joe Cosimo
23 Ivy Ln, Dupont, PA 18641 U.S.A.
Answer:
Dear Joe, thank you for listening to Radio Belarus International! We're glad that you enjoyed our news. RBI broadcasts on shortwave only in German on 6005 and 3985 kHz. News and programs in English are available via our website and satellites. We'll also send you a postcard and a small souvenir as soon as we can. 73!
Hello,
My name is Younes Lazazi, I am from Algeria.
I am very happy that radio Belarus has started broadcasting in Arabic.
I would like to receive stickers and printed matter of the station and the Arabic and french services if possible.
My address:
Monsieur Younes Lazazi 14 rue Maza Boualem El-Harrach 16009 Alger Algérie
Thank you.
Answer:
Dear Younes Lazazi,
we're happy that you like our boradcasts. We'll send you some of our printed materials via mail in the nearest future. 73!
Dear English Service Radio Belarus,
Greetings to all staff and listeners of English Service of Radio Belarus. We listen your webcast program. Your program quality is very nice. Your website is colorful & documented. We liked your programs, News, and Current Affairs Program. We are interested about Culture, life style of Belarusian people, historical places, Tourist attraction and destination of Belarus.
Please send some program schedule, sticker, view card, Promotional items of Radio Belarus for our club members and students.
We are waiting for your reply.
With best wishes,
SHIVENDU PAUL
President
Metali Listeners' Club
India
Answer:
Dear Shivendu Paul,
thank you very much for listening to us! Your club is among our most dedicated listeners. We will send you some of our promotional products as soon as possible. 73!
Hello!
Did the arabic programmes start? I don't see them on your Internetcast schedule page. Thanks!
Answer:
Hello! The Arabic programmes have been on air since October, every Monday. You can see the schedule and listen to them on our Arabic page http://radiobelarus.by/ar
FM transmitters and frequencies:
Rakitnitsa - 106.2 MHz
Hrodna - 95.7 MHz
Svislach - 104.4 MHz
Heraniony - 99.9 MHz
Braslau - 106.6 MHz
Miadzel - 102.0 MHz
Satellite broadcasting:
see satellite parameters here
