(Adds details, background)
MINSK, March 24 (Reuters) - China will loan the formerSoviet republic of Belarus $1 billion on favourable terms, theman widely seen as China"s next leader told Belarusian PresidentAlexander Lukashenko on Wednesday.
His visit and the loan vow were fresh signs of growingChinese interest in the former Soviet Union, and not only inenergy-rich Central Asia where it is vying with Russia and theWest for access to resources.
"China has taken a decision to grant Belarus favourablecredits of $1 billion, which will be used for projects thenations have agreed upon," Chinese Vice President Xi Jinpingsaid at a meeting with Lukashenko.
Xi, seen as the frontrunner to succeed President Hu Jintaoin 2013, gave no more details.
Lukashenko offered Chinese companies wider access to the $50billion economy of Belarus, which exports potash to China. Healso offered fervent support for China"s position on Taiwan.
China has a record of investing in developing nationswithout the political conditions often demanded by Westerncountries, for example concerning human rights or democracy.
In power since 1994, Lukashenko"s intolerance of dissent hasresulted in sanctions and criticism from the West, but he hastaken some steps lately aimed at improving relations with theUnited States and the European Union.
Lukashenko has been courting nations worldwide, fromVenezuela to China, as he seeks to decrease dependence on Russiafor energy and trade. (Reporting by Andrei Makhovsky; Writing by Steve Gutterman;Editing by Jon Hemming)
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