Aliaksandr Lukashenka met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday morning. The two leaders exchanged pleasantries, with Lukashenka saying his dream of cooperation with China had come true. He also said he regularly briefs Beijing on the situation in the region.
“China and Belarus are ironclad friends, and we are developing an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership. Our relations have withstood the test of international turbulence, and our friendship has only grown stronger. Our cooperation is multifaceted, keeps pace with the times and continues to deliver new results,” Xi said.
According to Xi, Beijing and Minsk cooperate within the framework of four global initiatives.
“I am referring to our cooperation within the framework of my four global initiatives, as well as the Belt and Road Initiative, with the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind. We are moving forward on this path hand in hand,” he added.
The Chinese leader also said bilateral relations had reached their highest point.
“Current China-Belarus relations are at a historic peak. I am ready to continue in-depth dialogue on issues of mutual interest,” he said.
For his part, Lukashenka said these were exactly the kind of relations with China he had dreamed of.
“This is what we discussed with you and, perhaps to some extent, dreamed about before the start of broad cooperation between Belarus and the People’s Republic of China,” he said.
Lukashenka cited the Great Stone Industrial Park as one of the successful examples of cooperation.
“I am grateful to you for supporting this year and next year as the initiative period for the development of industry and industrial cooperation between our two countries. In every area of economic development, Belarus uses your technologies. We are satisfied with the level of these technologies and the quality of the products we are receiving today,” he said.
“We constantly exchange views on the international agenda and the situation in the region. I keep you regularly informed. I believe we should continue these contacts,” Lukashenka added.
Updated
China’s state news agency Xinhua published its own account of the protocol meeting between Lukashenka and Xi Jinping.
“Xi Jinping said that China and Belarus are true friends who trust and support each other, good partners pursuing common development and prosperity, and all-weather comprehensive strategic partners. China-Belarus relations have withstood the test of international upheavals and in recent years have achieved leapfrog development, entering the best period in their history.
Political mutual trust between the two sides remains unshakable, high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative has yielded fruitful results, key cooperation projects have progressed steadily, and multilateral cooperation has produced tangible outcomes. The facts demonstrate that deepening comprehensive cooperation between China and Belarus is in line with the course of historical development and serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples.
Xi Jinping stressed that China and Belarus should maintain strategic coordination and promote the sustained high-level development of bilateral relations for the benefit of the peoples of both countries. China supports Belarus in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as well as in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions. China is ready to continue providing assistance, within its capabilities, for Belarus’ development and construction.
The two countries should mobilise resources across all sectors to advance the Belt and Road Initiative and enrich the substance of practical cooperation. China is ready to work with Belarus to build a community with a shared future for mankind, implement the four major global initiatives, strengthen coordination and cooperation within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and act as a force for stability in a turbulent world.”
“Lukashenka fully agreed with President Xi Jinping’s assessment of bilateral relations. He said China is Belarus’ all-weather strategic partner and that practical cooperation between the two countries is comprehensive and deep, providing decisive support for Belarus’ economic and social development. Belarus highly values its relations with China and looks forward to strengthening strategic coordination, expanding areas of cooperation and promoting the further development of bilateral ties.
He said President Xi Jinping’s four global initiatives had contributed to political solutions to pressing issues and made a significant contribution to peace, stability and prosperity around the world. Belarus is ready to continue close coordination with China on international and regional issues in order to jointly promote peace, development and stability globally and in the region,” the statement said.
