Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan met in Beijing Thursday with Vladimir Semashko, first deputy prime minister of Belarus.

Zeng said China and Belarus have expanded political trust and cooperation on economy, energy resources and culture since they forged diplomatic relations 15 years ago.

"Chinese government attaches importance to the relations with Belarus, and respects the road chosen by its people," he said.

He added that China would like to work with Belarus to realize the agreement reached by the leaders of the two countries, and to expand the mutual investment based on reciprocity to push forward the strategic relationship of all-round development.

Semashko said that Belarus takes China as its priority in foreign policy, and adheres to one-China policy.

He noted Belarus would explore new ways to promote the cooperation with China.

(Xinhua News Agency April 20, 2007)