President Jiang Zemin held talks with visiting Belarussian President Alexander Grigorievich Lukashenko at the Great Hall of the People on April 23, 2001.

Extending warm welcome to Lukashenko, Jiang spoke highly of Lukashenko's contribution to the development of Sino-Belarus ties. He noted that in the past nine years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, bilateral relations have witnessed steady and healthy progress, leaders of two countries have exchanged frequent visits and the two sides have expanded exchanges and cooperation in trade, science and technology, education, culture and sports. He added that since 1992, the trade volume between the two countries has seen sustained increase, surpassing 100 million U.S. dollars last year. He went on to say that China is very optimistic about the prospects of bilateral relations.

Jiang also pointed out that the two countries have reached consensus and share interests in many major international and regional issues, noting that both countries support the progress of a multi-polar world, actively participate in the establishment of a just and reasonable new international political and economic order and are in favor of safeguarding global strategic stability and international peace and security. He added that the above-mentioned stance of China and Belarus has garnered extensive support of the international community.

Jiang said that the joint statement to be signed after the talks by the two leaders is a significant event in the development of bilateral ties and is sure to give new impetus to the development of bilateral relations.

Jiang reiterated China's principled stance concerning bilateral ties: firstly, China is willing to develop a long-term, friendly relationship featuring cooperation and mutual trust with Belarus; secondly, China respects Belarus's choice of development path in line with its national conditions and its domestic and foreign policies and respects Belarus's efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and dignity, and opposes interference in the internal affairs of Belarus by any country using any excuse; thirdly, China continues to enhance cooperation with Belarus in a number of fields, such as trade, science and technology, proceeding from their respective needs and possibilities.

Jiang also extended his thanks to Lukashenko for Belarus's adherence to one-China policy, its support for China's efforts to realize national reunification and its support to China on the question of human rights.

Lukashenko expressed his thanks to the Chinese government and people, saying that Belarus and China share same views on many major international issues. He said that Belarus opposes interference in the internal affairs of other countries upon any excuse, including that of human rights, noting that both countries uphold the principle of safeguarding national sovereignty and independence.

Lukashenko also spoke highly of the current development of bilateral relations, hoping for further promotion of bilateral cooperation in trade, education, science and technology.

The two leader also exchanged views on major current international and regional issues.

After the talks, the two leaders signed the China-Belarus Joint Statement, and other officials from the two countries signed agreements on the protection of property rights, and financial and judicial cooperation.