4-12-2023 (BEIJING) Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko held a meeting with China’s leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday (Dec 4), marking their second encounter this year. Lukashenko, who finds himself diplomatically isolated due to biting Western sanctions, emphasized his country’s economic ties with China during the visit.
The close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the Chinese capital for a “working visit” and was warmly received by Xi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. The two leaders engaged in a “working lunch” followed by three hours of talks, as reported by Belarusian state media.
Lukashenko, who has been President of Belarus since 1994, supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 by allowing Moscow to use Belarusian territory. However, his country now faces a crippled economy heavily dependent on trade with Russia.
According to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, Xi expressed China’s willingness to strengthen strategic cooperation with Belarus and deepen bilateral relations. Xi mentioned the importance of implementing projects such as the China-Belarus Industrial Park and achieving more milestones in China-Belarus industrial cooperation.
Before the conflict in Ukraine, China was Belarus’ seventh largest trading partner in 2021, according to UN Comtrade data. China also ranked as Belarus’ second-largest import partner. However, Belarus purchased significantly less from China compared to its trade with Russia.
Lukashenko, as reported by Belarusian state media, highlighted the potential for expanding commercial ties with China and praised the “more than 120” bilateral visits made by Chinese and Belarusian parties since their last meeting in March.
Accelerating cooperation between China and Belarus was the main topic of discussion during Lukashenko’s visit to Beijing, according to the report.
Xi suggested that both countries should enhance cross-border transport facilitation, promote economic and trade initiatives like the China-Belarus Industrial Park, and foster people-to-people exchanges, as stated by Xinhua.
Belarus faces sanctions from several countries, including the United States, European Union, Britain, Canada, and the Netherlands, due to its support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and longstanding issues related to political repression.
Lukashenko conveyed his appreciation to China for its efforts to integrate countries into the Belt and Road Initiative. In contrast, he criticized Western countries for their divisive approach, as reported by Belarusian state media.
Xi offered to strengthen coordination and cooperation between China and Belarus in multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, according to the Xinhua report.
“China and Belarus are important forces in the reform and construction of the global governance system,” Xi remarked, as quoted by Xinhua.
