Wang Lianyu, head of the Foreign Affairs Office in the Chinese City of Xuzhou, said Belarus is considered a promising trade and venture partner, the Belarus Press Service said on Friday.

The statement was made ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's arrival in Minsk on Sunday to sign several trade and other economic deals with Belarus. Lianyu said the country is considered a viable partner as the Silk Road Economic Belt coalition of nations continues to crystalize, based on current and past cooperative projects between Belarus and Xuzhou.

Lianyu said the Xuzhou-Mozyr twinning agreement also will strengthen economic ties between Belarus and China. This agreement is expected to be signed later this year. Lianyu also said the city intends to seek out joint manufacturing projects with Belarus and would like to increase the amount of Belarusian milk that it imports. Lianyu also mentioned that there is interest from Xuzhou medical and pharmaceutical companies to collaborate on medicine production and to utilize the country's research products and expertise.