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China and Belarus renew strategic ties as Xi Jinping and ‘old friend’ Lukashenko meet in Beijing
- Xi says China wants to work with Belarus towards greater ‘pragmatic cooperation’
- Political trust has been consolidated since their last meeting in March, he says
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China and Western-sanctioned Belarus have pledged to strengthen “strategic coordination”, as their heads of state met in Beijing on Monday.
Referring to President Alexander Lukashenko as “an old friend”, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said the two countries would improve relations in a range of areas, from industrial cooperation to cross-border transport.
China would also strengthen coordination with Belarus on multilateral mechanisms, including the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, of which Belarus is expected to become a permanent member next year.
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“China is willing to continue strengthening strategic coordination with Belarus, support each other resolutely, promote pragmatic cooperation, and continue deepening our bilateral relations,” state news agency Xinhua quoted Xi as saying.
Xi said that since their last meeting in March “political trust between the two countries was further consolidated while coordination at the international level was further strengthened”.
02:13
Belarusian President Lukashenko meets with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, amid Ukraine crisis
Belarusian President Lukashenko meets with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, amid Ukraine crisis
Lukashenko arrived in China’s capital on Sunday for a two-day visit, aiming to discuss “trade, economic, investment and international cooperation” with its major partner in Asia.
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