The leaders of Belarus and China, Alexander Lukashenko and Xi Jinping, have confirmed their commitment to strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two countries, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
The visit of the head of the Belarusian state to China has concluded. The days of Alexander Lukashenko's stay in Beijing were filled with negotiations with representatives of Chinese business circles. The main event was a meeting with Xi Jinping, which for the first time took place at the Chinese leader's home, in the Zhongnanhai residence. This is a sign of special favour and friendship between the heads of state.
"My office is literally next door. This is the first time I am receiving you here," Xi Jinping noted during the meeting.
Alexander Lukashenko, in turn, noted that he highly values the friendliness of his Chinese counterpart: "It is underscored by the fact that you have invited me into your home. I am very grateful to you and, naturally, will be expecting you at my home."
"I am also surprised and still amazed, although this is my 15th visit to China and I have a 30-year history of cooperation with the PRC, by your attitude towards guests. Believe me, this is a common opinion. We often exchange these views with presidents, especially from post-Soviet republics. We share the same opinion. And we understand and greatly appreciate this," added the President of Belarus.
The Chairman of the PRC warmly welcomed the President of Belarus, emphasizing their long-standing personal friendship.
"I want to congratulate you once again on your re-election as President of Belarus. This fully demonstrates the support and trust of the Belarusian people towards you. I am confident that under your leadership, your country will undoubtedly achieve even more brilliant new successes in state building," said Xi Jinping.
The leaders' conversation lasted two and a half hours. Summarizing the visit in a brief interview with journalists, Alexander Lukashenko said: "Everything went as well as it could have. We met with a friend and had a conversation. We agreed that we must intensify our relations. It was very successful."
"It was a private family meeting. Not official, not business-related – family. Nevertheless, Chinese are Chinese – they organised it at the highest level. Well done. So, we met and talked with the real economy sector, with finance (representatives of these spheres. – BELTA’s note). And today with the Chairman (Xi Jinping. – BELTA’s note), the Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi – our old friend, – the President said. – I believe the visit was successful. And most importantly, for them (responsible parties on both sides. – BELTA’s note) the corridor has been widened – go ahead. That’s why I tell the ambassador: "You are responsible with your head for relations with China. This is a new opportunity for us."
On the unique format of the visit
The programme of the Belarusian leader’s visit to China initially announced a traditional friendly family meeting with the Chairman of the PRC.
First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov, who oversees Belarus's relations with China and was also part of the Belarusian delegation, emphasised the special format of Alexander Lukashenko's current visit to China in an interview with journalists.
"Negotiations are optional. The main thing is the trip, which in principle (in terms of communication format. – BELTA’s note) is not applied with any other world leader. It is a friendly family dinner. This is the main thing. The entire trip is geared towards this," he said. "The world community should take an example from the friendship, mutual support, and joint development of Belarus and China, which is demonstrated by the current visit of the President. This is not a working, not an official visit. This is a visit for a friendly family dinner. Perhaps, in the global agenda, it would not hurt for world leaders to gather and talk to each other about the common future of their peoples."
Nikolai Snopkov recalled that Belarus was one of the first to support the Chinese leader's initiative to build a Community of Common Destiny for Mankind. "This is not even an economic, but a moral path. And we are following it," the First Deputy Prime Minister stressed.
On one of the key issues in cooperation with China
On the eve of the meeting of the leaders of the countries, Alexander Lukashenko held negotiations with representatives of Chinese business circles in Beijing.
The Head of State, speaking about the upcoming meeting with the Chairman of the PRC, identified one of the main issues on the agenda of Belarusian-Chinese cooperation: "This is the machine-building industry and the technological modernization of specific sectors of industry in Belarus. This is the idea of the Chairman of the PRC Xi Jinping, who, as we see, and it is known in China and in the world, is focused on a scientific and technological, let's even say, revolution in machine building."
In general, the leaders of Belarus and China have a global agenda, taking into account the current situation. But the bilateral agenda is no less global and strategic. "Therefore, of course, our leader could not fail to work out, in a practical sense, issues that are sensitive and strategically important for us," noted the First Deputy Prime Minister.
Back in 2023, the Chairman of the PRC Xi Jinping proposed to more actively promote the joint technological development of Belarus and China based on modern Chinese technologies and Belarusian industrial competencies. Primarily in machine building, tractor manufacturing, and transport machine building. "Since then, we have been developing this topic very actively. A communiqué was signed within the framework of the visit of Comrade Li Qiang (referring to the official visit of the Premier of the State Council of the PRC Li Qiang to Belarus in August 2024. - Ed. BELTA). Detailed joint roadmaps have been signed, which define specific projects. And this topic is simply gaining momentum. We are concluding the Year of Science and Technology. The next year will be a two-year period dedicated specifically to industrial cooperation. Therefore, today's meeting is a strategic message for broader, deeper cooperation with one of the world's leading manufacturers of heavy machinery," said Nikolai Snopkov.
On Strengthening Friendship and China's Role in the Global Order
Xi Jinping emphasized that the traditional friendship between Belarus and China is strengthening, unbreakable political mutual trust is growing, and cooperation is advancing in almost all spheres. "We maintain close contacts and coordination in international affairs. Whether within the framework of the SCO or the UN. Like you, like our country, we never submit to any international hegemonism or bullying policies. Together, we defend international justice and equality," said the Chinese leader.
He also invited the President of Belarus to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit and a parade in Beijing, which will take place in late August - early September of the current year.
Alexander Lukashenko emphasised that the eyes of many states, including Belarus, are now turned towards Beijing.
"You have very correctly noted the main feature of the current times – unprecedented pressure from the West on us, primarily on the People's Republic of China. And today, the eyes of many states, like Belarus, are turned to you – to Beijing," said the Belarusian leader.
According to him, 5 years ago they used to say: "If China holds out, then the planet will be balanced and will exist."
"Today they are already saying: 'China has held out, and China will not allow the world order to be broken. Many, many peoples are convinced of this. Heads of state whom I have met have told me this," said Alexander Lukashenko.