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Belarusian ruler praises "reliable" friendship with China

Belarusian ruler praises "reliable" friendship with China

Belarusian ruler praises "reliable" friendship with China
Belarusian ruler praises "reliable" friendship with China

Belarus's Leader Lauds 'Reliable' Friendship with China in Beijing Visit

Paying homage to China's "reliable" support, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Beijing last weekend. Their discussion revolved around trade, economy, investments, and international cooperation.

Boasting a close relationship with Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin leader, Lukashenko previously visited China at the end of February. Despite numerous appeals from the West, China, as a close ally of Moscow, has refrained from officially condemning the Russian offensive in Ukraine. Nestled between Ukraine and Russia, Belarus shares its border with both nations.

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  • During their encounter, Lukashenko lauded China for its "unwavering" support and friendship towards Belarus.
  • This Beijing sojourn represented another crucial milestone in the flourishing relationship between the two nations.
  • In front of the media, Lukashenko admired the "consistent" character of their friendship, which has withstood numerous trials.
  • At a joint press conference, Lukashenko and Xi Jinping accentuated the significance of their "solid" alliance, which they deemed crucial to global stability.
  • The unwavering unity between China and Belarus has led to numerous bilateral deals and collaborations across varied sectors such as trade, economy, and investment.
  • During their meeting, Lukashenko reiterated his commitment to fortifying the "strong" partnership between their nations, with the objective of amplifying mutual benefits and crafting a shared destiny.
  • As steadfast "reliable" partners, China and Belarus have persistently championed one another, with the Belarusian rulers often extolling China's stature as a responsible global actor, particularly in promoting the interests of developing nations.

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Relevance and Renewal

Belarus has been forging warmer bonds with China in sectors such as trade, economy, investments, and international relations. This is a brief account of the evolution and current state of their collaboration:

Historical Context and Progression

  1. Recent Accords:
  2. Free Trade Agreement: China and Belarus have forged a free trade agreement for services and investments, accompanied by agreements to deepen cooperation in security, energy, and finance. This agreement aims to establish clear and consistent rules, potentially boosting Belarusian exports to China by 12% and enhancing Chinese investment in Belarus by 30% in the subsequent five years [1].
  3. Economic Concordance:
  4. Trade Volumes: Belarus is China's second-largest trading partner after Russia, with total bilateral trade surpassing $8.4 billion in 2023 [1].
  5. Export Surge: The Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange (BUCE) has witnessed a substantial surge in exports to China, totaling $129.3 million in 2024, marking a 1.6-fold increase. The primary commodities traded include softwood lumber, milk powder, butter, milk cream powder, and semi-finished beef products [2].
  6. Financial Projects:
  7. Industrial Ventures: Five industrial projects worth $1 billion, and 12 more worth $2 billion, are in the pipeline. These projects aim to augment cooperation between Belarus and Chinese provincial governments in Chongqing and Shaanxi [1].
  8. Political Backing:
  9. Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO): Belarus joined the SCO as its tenth member in July 2024, solidifying its ties with China. Belarus has also allowed Chinese troops to participate in joint military exercises [1].

Present Situation

  1. Mutual Encouragement:
  2. Presidential Greetings: Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Lukashenko following his election, emphasizing the enduring, comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. Xi Jinping noted the ongoing strengthening of political trust and the fruitful outcomes of Belt and Road cooperation [5].
  3. Expanded Cooperation:
  4. Trade and Economic Collaboration: The two nations are bolstering their trade and economic partnership, focusing on mutual gains. This includes bilateral trade deals, investment cooperation agreements, and agricultural exports, as demonstrated in the negotiations between Xi Jinping and Polish President Andrzej Duda [4].
  5. Strategic Relationship:
  6. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: The bond between China and Belarus is characterized as an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership. This partnership has been fortified through collective initiatives in various domains, including trade, security, energy, and finance [1][5].
  7. Diversification Strategy:
  8. Redeeming Dependence on Russia: Belarus has been endeavoring to diversify its economic and political ties to diminish its association with Russia. The closer relations with China are part of this strategy, notably in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine [1].

In summary, Belarus and China have cultivated a robust and dynamic relationship in recent times, focusing on trade, investment, and strategic partnerships. This collaboration aims to produce mutually advantageous results for both nations, specifically in Belarus's quest to diversify its economic and political alliances.

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