BEIJING — Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Beijing on Sept 2, pledging to strengthen bilateral ties.

Lukashenko is among 30 world leaders who will attend Chinese commemorations on Sept 3 of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Zhang hailed the growing mutual trust, practical cooperation and close coordination in international affairs between China and Belarus.

“China is willing to work with Belarus and take the building of the Silk Road Economic Belt as an opportunity to advance the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership,” he told Lukashenko.

Zhang said the two sides should act on their leaders’ agreements over deeper cooperation, tapping the potential for partnerships, notably in finance.

Lukashenko described the two countries as long-time friends and reliable partners, saying Belarus is willing to cooperate more with China.