In August 2024, China and Belarus signed a services trade and investment agreement and outlined closer cooperation on China–Europe freight trains, road transport and aviation in a joint communiqué. The agreement subsequently entered into force in January 2026, marking an important milestone in bilateral trade and logistics cooperation.
On 22 August 2024, China and Belarus signed the Agreement on Trade in Services and Investment between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Belarus. China’s Ministry of Commerce subsequently stated that the agreement covers trade in services, investment and the entry of business personnel, with the aim of unlocking further potential for bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Its signing marked an important advance in cooperation on services and investment.
A joint communiqué issued by the two governments that month also identified transport and supply chains as priority areas for cooperation. The two sides proposed closer cooperation on China–Europe freight trains, an intergovernmental cooperation mechanism, and stronger infrastructure connectivity. They also outlined cooperation on direct China–Europe road transport and the gradual expansion of passenger and cargo air routes and flight frequencies.
The communiqué also referred to deeper customs cooperation, including exploring smart customs systems, connections between international trade single windows, container security for freight trains and expedited customs clearance. For businesses, cross-border transport depends on both line-haul capacity and information exchange between each stage. Consistency between documents, loading information and receiving arrangements directly affects how smoothly a shipment moves.
Businesses planning to ship equipment, components and consumer goods to Belarus can provide a complete cargo description, package dimensions, gross weight and final delivery address when requesting a quotation. Rail and road options can then be compared in terms of loading suitability, handover points and destination service coverage. For regular replenishment, delivery schedules should also be assessed alongside local inventory plans.
A subsequent Ministry of Commerce announcement confirmed that the agreement entered into force on 1 January 2026. The progression from signing to implementation, supported by cooperation in services and transport, provides a clearer framework for businesses in both countries to plan long-term activity. Companies can coordinate trade, warehousing and transport arrangements according to the conditions applicable to each project.
Sources
1. Ministry of Commerce of China: China and Belarus Formally Sign Agreement on Trade in Services and Investment | 2024-08-23
2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China: Joint Communiqué of the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Belarus | 2024-08-23
3. Ministry of Commerce of China, WTO/FTA Information Website: China–Belarus Agreement on Trade in Services and Investment Enters into Force | January 2026; the page does not specify an exact publication date