IRIA News

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visited Beijing to meet China’s leader Xi Jinping for the second time this year to strengthen partnership. The diplomatically isolated president of Belarus is seeking stronger bilateral ties with China.

Lukashenko was welcomed by the Chinese President on December 4, 2023, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse for a “working lunch” which was followed by three hours of talks. The Belarusian media reported that Xi assured Lukashenko of China’s strong support for Belarus to pursue a development path aligned with its national conditions, opposing external interference in Belarus’ internal affairs.

“China is willing to continue to strengthen strategic cooperation with Belarus, promote practical cooperation, and deepen bilateral relations,” Xi told his guest, according to a Chinese state news agency. Xi added, “The two sides should implement projects like the China-Belarus Industrial Park and promote more achievements in China-Belarus industrial cooperation.”

Second visit in one year

Lukashenko emphasized the potential for expanding Belarus’ economic connections with China, as reported by Belarusian state media. He commended the “over 120″ reciprocal visits between Chinese and Belarusian delegations since their last meeting in March this year.

From February 28 to March 2 of this year, Lukashenko visited China, signifying the significant importance Minsk places on its relations with Beijing and its intention to orientate towards the East. Experts predict that the partnership between China and Belarus will continue to strengthen through continuous bilateral cooperation, robust political trust, and unwavering support on international platforms.

The Belarusian head of state said that frequent interaction had given a powerful impetus to the deepening of bilateral cooperation in diverse areas. and launched new vectors and mechanisms of cooperation. “Belarus has been a reliable partner for China and will remain so. All this has happened before my eyes for the last 30 years, and even way back. I came to China for the first time as a member of parliament,” Lukashenko said.

Economic hardships

Belarus is confronting sanctions from the United States, European Union, Britain, Canada, the Netherlands, and other nations due to its support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and persistent concerns about political repression.

During his conversation with Xi, Lukashenko expressed gratitude for China’s efforts to unite countries through the Belt and Road Initiative, contrasting it with Western countries that seek division, Belarusian state media reported.

Xi proposed strengthening coordination and cooperation between China and Belarus in multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), according to the Xinhua report.

Xi assured his Belarusian counterpart that China always views its relations with Belarus from a strategic and long-term perspective, firmly supports Belarus in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, and opposes external interference in Belarus’ internal affairs.

“China is willing to continue to strengthen strategic coordination with Belarus, firmly support each other, promote practical cooperation, and deepen bilateral relations,” Xi said.

He advocated for the broadening of collaboration in education, health, sports, and tourism between both sides. Emphasizing the importance of supporting youth exchanges and cooperation, he urged the enhancement of mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Lukashenko commended Xi for establishing a unified goal for all participants in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, contrasting it with Western nations that tend to fragment efforts.

Introduced by Xi in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to revive the historic Silk Road, enhancing global trade infrastructure by connecting China with markets across Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.