Belarus opens Consulate General office in Hong Kong

May 5, BPN. An office of the Belarusian Consulate General opened in Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, on May 4, the foreign ministry’s press office reported.

Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu, China’s Foreign Ministry Commissioner to Hong Kong Liu Guangyuan and Belarusian Ambassador to China Juryj Siańko attended the ceremony.

Belarusian and Chinese officials praised bilateral cooperation and its prospects for the business communities of Belarus and Hong Kong, the foreign ministry said. John Lee Ka-chiu reportedly noted Belarus’ industrial, research and technological achievements as particularly attractive for Hong Kong investors.

Officials also “stressed Belarus’ significant role in China’s Belt and Road initiative” and “parties’ interest in strengthening humanitarian ties” and developing tourism, the foreign ministry added.

Belarusian government originally planned to open a Consulate General in Hong Kong in late 2021.

Although Hong Kong is now legally a part of China, it requires separate entry visas for foreigners. Belarusians can visit Hong Kong for 30 days without a visa.

Trade between Belarus and China amounted to $5.8 billion in 2022, with China becoming Belarus’ second trading partner after Russia. There is no separate data on economic cooperation with Hong Kong.

Belarus has three consulates general in the Chinese cities of Chongqing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.