Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday, with Xi praising sanctions-hit Belarus as a “true friend” of China. During their meeting, Xi urged the Russian ally to join Beijing in opposing “hegemony and bullying,” emphasizing the strong partnership between the two nations. Xi also congratulated Lukashenko on his re-election, stating that the two countries are “good partners.”
Lukashenko’s three-day visit marks his first since being declared the winner of January’s widely criticized poll, which extended his 31-year rule over the former Soviet republic. The Belarusian leader highlighted the shared challenges both countries face, noting that “you have very correctly noted the main feature of the current time – unprecedented pressure from the West on us, first of all on the People’s Republic of China.” Lukashenko added that the “eyes of many states” are turned to Beijing, as it “will not allow the world order to be broken.”
The meeting comes as Belarus’s economy is struggling under the weight of Western sanctions and trade tariffs due to its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. In response, Minsk has turned to Beijing for financial support and investment, seeking to transform and upgrade its industries. Belarus is looking to China as a key partner in its efforts to navigate these economic challenges and build a more resilient economy.
The strong partnership between Belarus and China is evident in their mutual support and cooperation. Xi’s praise for Belarus as a “true friend” underscores the deepening ties between the two nations. As Lukashenko noted, both countries are facing significant pressure from the West, but they are standing together in opposition to what they see as attempts to undermine their sovereignty. The visit highlights the growing importance of the relationship between Belarus and China, with both countries seeking to strengthen their economic and political ties in the face of global challenges.