Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko Monday and the two leaders issued a joint statement, pledging to further promote bilateral ties.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao shakes hands with Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, the capital of Belarussia, on November 5, 2007.

During the meeting, the two leaders reached a comprehensive agreement on maintaining high-level exchange, pushing economic and trade cooperation to a new level, strengthening scientific and technological cooperation, expanding cooperation at provincial levels, enhancing exchanges in the cultural and educational fields, and closely coordinating on international and regional issues.

Wen spoke highly of the growth of Sino-Belarussian relations in the past 15 years, noting that the ties have entered into a new stage of comprehensive development.

Highlighting Belarus' favorable geographic location as a communication hub linking the Eastern and Western Europe, Wen said China highly values its ties with Belarus and hopes to make concerted efforts to promote bilateral ties.

Extending his congratulations on the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Lukashenko said China is a reliable friend of Belarus and plays a positive role in promoting the world peace and prosperity.

"Belarus hopes to cement the exchange and friendly cooperation with China in the spirit of mutual benefit in an effort to push forward bilateral relations," Lukashenko told the Chinese premier.

(Xinhua News Agency November 6, 2007)