BEIJING — Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli said on April 13 that China and Belarus should achieve substantial progress on the development of an joint venture industrial park as soon as possible.

Zhang was speaking during a meeting with Belarusian deputy director of the Presidential Office Nikolay Snopkov in Zhongnanhai, the headquarters of the Chinese government.

Zhang said the China-Belarus industrial park was the two countries’ largest joint investment project.

Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli (R, front) meets with Belarusian deputy director of the Presidential Office Nikolay Snopkov in Beijing, capital of China, April 13, 2015.[Photo/Xinhua]

“Both sides should strengthen communication and coordination to guarantee substantial progress in the building of the industrial park as soon as possible,” Zhang said.

Snopkov said Belarus was ready to develop the industrial park into a model Silk Road economic belt project.

Zhang said Belarus was an important partner and a reliable friend of China in the region. He said since the establishment of the China-Belarus comprehensive strategic partnership, cooperation had rapidly expanded and remarkable results had been achieved.

China was ready to work with Belarus to implement the consensus reached by the heads of state of two countries and deepen practical cooperation and boost links, Zhang said.

Snopkov said Belarus placed great importance on developing its relations with China. He expressed readiness to continuously deepen cooperation in all areas.