BEIJING, July 17 (Xinhuanet) -- President Xi Jinping has hosted a ceremony to welcome his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko at the Tiananmen Square outside the Great Hall of People.

President Lukashenko is on a 3 day visit to Beijing at the invitation of President Xi. This is his fourth visit to China after taking office. The Belarussian leader is also expected to meet Premier Li Keqiang and top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng.

Lukashenko is accompanied by Belarusian officials including the Attorney General, head of the national bank and the vice premier. Earlier in an interview on Monday, Lukashenko told Xinhua news agency that Belarus is ready to expand cooperation with China in all areas.

During the visit, the two sides will sign a joint declaration and more than 20 bilateral agreements, protocols and contracts.

(Source: CNTV.cn)