Xi and Lukashenko Emphasize Closer Cooperation Between China and Belarus
President Xi Jinping recently met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Beijing, according to the official Chinese news agency, Xinhua. Xi shared his desire to bolster China's relationship with Belarus across various sectors, including trade and the global stage. He highlighted the significance of increased collaboration and coordination at the United Nations level.
Lukashenko, a close ally of Russia, had earlier visited China in February, where he described the friendship between the two nations as unbreakable. Their recent meeting in Beijing reaffirmed this bond, as reported by Xinhua.
Striking Deals and Unbreakable Ties
Xi and Lukashenko inked significant business and investment agreements during their meeting, aiming to boost exports and attract Chinese investment to Belarus. Five industrial projects totaling $1 billion were set to launch, and twelve further projects, valued at $2 billion, were under review. Beyond trade, the leaders focused on strengthening cooperation in areas like energy, finance, and security.
Belarus has been actively diversifying its trade partners, with China emerging as its second-largest trading partner behind Russia. In 2023, the bilateral trade turnover topped $8.4 billion. Both nations have also deepened their political ties, with Belarus joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and welcoming Chinese troops for joint military exercises.
Expanding Collaboration on the Global Stage
In addition to trade agreements, Xi stressed the importance of China and Russia defending the United Nations-centered international system and supporting adherence to the UN Charter. Both leaders called for deepened coordination within BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and a new era of global cooperation for the developing world.
Looking Toward the Future
Lukashenko expressed optimism about the future of China-Belarus cooperation, highlighting potential areas such as culture, automobiles, and biotechnology. The two leaders agreed to work closely in these areas and envisioned a bright future for their bilateral relationship.
Sources:
- China-Belarus Free Trade Agreement (Xinhua)
- Belarus diversifies trade partners (World Bank Group)
- Xi and Putin high-level meeting (Xinhua)
- Belarus's entry into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (Xinhua)
- Belarusian President Lukashenko's visit to China (Xinhua)
