'Good friends': Xi hails Belarus ties at ‘all-time high’
Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to Beijing on Monday, describing relations between the two countries as being at an "all-time high" as the leaders pledged to deepen their strategic partnership.
Meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Xi said China and Belarus had built a friendship that had endured global uncertainty and continued to strengthen through closer political and economic co-operation.
"China and Belarus are good friends. We are developing a comprehensive strategic partnership, and our relations have withstood challenges from international turbulence. Our friendship is only growing stronger," Xi said, adding that he was ready to hold further in-depth discussions with Lukashenko on issues of mutual interest.
Xi also highlighted the two countries' co-operation under China's Belt and Road Initiative and Beijing's broader global initiatives, saying the partnership had produced "new results" while maintaining close co-ordination on international affairs.
Lukashenko told Xi he had travelled to Beijing directly from the Moscow region, where he had met Russian President Vladimir Putin a day earlier before flying to China.
"It feels like home," Lukashenko remarked as he greeted Xi, who described the Belarusian leader as "my dear friend" and noted that the pair met regularly to discuss a wide range of issues.
The visit comes as China and Belarus continue to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties despite heightened geopolitical tensions and Western sanctions imposed on Minsk over its support for Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
China has remained one of Belarus' closest international partners, expanding trade, investment and infrastructure co-operation while backing closer political engagement between the two countries.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
