Xi Jinping Holds Talks With President Of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko
On March 1, 2023, at the Great Hall of the People, President Xi Jinping held talks with President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko who is on a state visit to China.
Xi Jinping pointed out that in Samarkand last September, he and President Lukashenko jointly announced the upgrading of China-Belarus relations to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership, thus injecting strong impetus into cooperation between the two countries in various fields. Xi noted that this year is the first year to fully implement the important decisions made at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and China’s high-quality development and modernization drive will bring new opportunities to Belarus and other countries in the world. Faced with an international situation fraught with instability and uncertainty, China is ready to work with Belarus to promote the sound and steady development of bilateral relations at a high level.
Xi Jinping emphasized that the China-Belarus friendship is unbreakable, and the two sides should constantly enhance political mutual trust and remain each other’s true friends and good partners.
China highly appreciates Belarus’ firm support for China’s legitimate positions on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and human rights, among others.
It is important that the two sides firmly support each other’s choice of development path, support each other’s effort in safeguarding their respective core interests, oppose external interference in internal affairs, and safeguard the sovereignty and political security of the two countries.
Both sides should fully leverage the role of the China-Belarus Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee, expand economic and trade cooperation, build the China-Belarus Industrial Park well, and advance cooperation on the China-Europe Railway Express and other connectivity building projects under the framework of Belt and Road cooperation.
Both sides should also deepen cooperation in medical care and health, expand cooperation at the sub-national level, and keep close cultural and people-to-people exchanges, so that the China-Belarus friendship will enjoy greater public support.
Xi Jinping noted that the world is faced with profound changes unseen in a century, and much remains to be done to safeguard world peace and development.
China and Belarus are both defenders of international fairness and justice. China appreciates Belarus’ support for the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and is ready to work with Belarus to strengthen coordination and cooperation at multilateral fora including the United Nations, so as to jointly respond to global challenges and build a human community with a shared future.
Congratulating China once again on the success of the 20th CPC National Congress, Lukashenko expressed great admiration for President Xi, noting that he is a leader much loved by the Chinese people and enjoying high prestige in the world.
He said that he firmly believes that under the strong leadership of President Xi, China will continue to make new and glorious achievements, and that the hearts of the Belarusian people are always with the Chinese people, and Belarus will stand firmly with China at all times.
He noted that Belarus firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests, and firmly supports and actively participates in the Belt and Road Initiative, the GSI and the GDI proposed by President Xi Jinping.
Belarus is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in such fields as science and technology, industry, agriculture and tourism, and advance the development of the China-Europe Railway Express and the building of the Belarus-China Industrial Park.
Belarus welcomes Chinese businesses to the country for investment, and is ready to step up sub-national and cultural and people-to-people exchanges with China.
He said that China is a mainstay in safeguarding world peace, and that Belarus is ready to strengthen coordination with China on major international and regional issues, and jointly strive for the maintenance of international and regional security and stability.
He also wished the upcoming “two sessions” of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference a great success, and expressed the belief that this annual event will have a significant impact on the future of China and the world.
The two presidents also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other issues. Xi Jinping pointed out that China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear, and China has released a position paper on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.
Relevant countries should stop politicizing and instrumentalizing the world economy, and take effective actions to bring about a ceasefire and an end to the conflict and peacefully resolve the crisis. Lukashenko said that Belarus fully agrees with and supports China’s position on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, and this is of great significance to resolving the crisis.
Xi noted that the core of China’s position on this issue is promoting talks for peace. All parties should stay committed to its political settlement, abandon the Cold War mentality, respect the legitimate security concerns of all countries, and work to forge a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture.
Following the talks, the two presidents signed the Joint Statement on Further Developing the All-weather Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Belarus in the New Era, and witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents in such fields as economy and trade, industry, agriculture, customs, science and technology, health, tourism, sports as well as cooperation at the sub-national level.
Prior to the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcoming ceremony for Lukashenko at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.
When Lukashenko arrived, a 21-gun salute was fired at Tiananmen Square, and the guard of honor lined up in salutation. The two presidents stepped onto a stand and a military band played the national anthems of China and Belarus. Lukashenko reviewed the guard of honor of the People’s Liberation Army and watched the march-past in the company of Xi Jinping.
After the talks, Xi Jinping hosted a welcoming banquet for Lukashenko at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.
Wang Yi and He Lifeng, among others, were present at the events.
