Opinions & Interviews

Alexander Lukashenko remarked that Belarus takes pride in good relations with the People’s Republic of China, in the fact of having such a strategic partner. Belarus positively accepts the enhancement of these relations.

During the latest visit of the Belarusian head of state to China the sides signed a declaration on strategic partnership. “We highly appreciate the fact that our very close friend Xi Jinping (I met him before he became the President of China) came to Belarus on the eve of the presidential election because in politics such gestures and such visits mean a lot. Gestures made by China mean even more,” said the Belarusian leader.

The Belarus President noted that during the visit of the China President to Belarus they are going to discuss not only politics but also trade and economic affairs. “We don’t hide the fact that having Belarus here, in the center of Europe is a good thing for China. Just like for us it is a good thing to have huge and powerful China, on whose shoulder we can rely in the international scene. We are also ready to be useful for the Chinese state, the Chinese nation here in the center of Europe,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko.

“I often tell your leaders that they have accomplished the impossible. Within a very short period of time Jiang Jiemin, Hu Jintao, and today Xi Jinping have created a most powerful empire. No matter in the world is decided without China. If this empire is not present in Europe, it is a major loss. With whom can China cooperate as closely in Europe? Primarily with Belarusians. Why? China has no complaints about Belarus, Belarusians have no complaints about China. We have never conditioned our cooperation on a quid pro quo basis. Things have never been like that,” said the Belarusian leader.

“And then our friendship and cooperation have been tested by at least twenty years,” continued the President. “I think that Chinese leadership and the Chinese state have concluded that Belarus is a respectable and serious partner.”

“China needs a friendly country in Europe. You are welcome to use our capabilities in the center of Europe. Let’s cooperate for the benefit of each other. It is the keynote of our meeting,” said the head of state.

“I know that my counterpart Xi Jinping welcomes the approach. Moreover, the Chinese are very careful people. They will never work with problem countries,” said Alexander Lukashenko. “We have no problems with anyone.” In his words, the Chinese side appreciates it.

“And I like this approach of the Chinese leadership. It is in essence our approach — we should not pose problems for anyone. We don’t work against anyone, we don’t make friends to oppose someone, we are friends for the benefit of our nations,” stressed the Belarusian leader.

“We have a huge and great China. China has a very friendly country in the center of Europe. Taking into account the fact that the Chinese leadership has started building a belt of their relations with Europe via the Silk Road, we could be very useful for the Chinese leadership as a foothold, a huge economic platform for promoting Chinese interests into Europe. We will only benefit from that,” noted Alexander Lukashenko.