Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko paid his 15th visit to China, June 2-4.
On the morning of June 4, President Xi Jinping met with Lukashenko at Zhongnanhai, the compound in central Beijing where the top Chinese leadership live and work.
Xi Jinping congratulated Aleksandr Lukashenko again on his reelection as President of Belarus. Xi pointed out that China and Belarus are true friends and good partners. The two countries have always treated each other with sincerity and engaged each other with trust. Noting that China and Belarus share enduring traditional friendship, unshakable political mutual trust and comprehensively advancing cooperation in all fields, Xi Jinping said China always views and develops its relations with Belarus from a strategic and long-term perspective. China is ready to work with Belarus to ensure the steady and sustained growth of bilateral relations and mutually beneficial cooperation. Both sides should further strengthen coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, jointly oppose hegemonic, domineering and bullying acts, and uphold international fairness and justice.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said that this is his 15th visit to China, and on each occasion, he has truly felt the profound friendship extended by the Chinese side. Belarus thanked China for its long-standing strong support and assistance and has high-degree trust in China. Belarus will remain committed to developing its relations with China and actively advancing cooperation with China. In international affairs, China has firmly upheld multilateralism, opposed unilateralism and sanctions and pressure, and set an example for the world. Belarus deeply admires this and is willing to work with China to jointly defend international fairness and justice.
The Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA) reported that main event of Lukashenko’s visit was his meeting with Xi Jinping, which was held for the first time at the Chinese leader’s home – at the Zhongnanhai residence. This is a sign of special favour and friendship between the heads of state.
“My office is literally next door. This is the first time I receive you here,” Xi Jinping said during the meeting.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted, in turn, that he greatly appreciates the friendly attitude of his Chinese counterpart: “Enough to say that you have invited me to your home. I am very grateful to you and, naturally, I invite you to my home.
“I am still surprised and amazed by the way you treat your guests, although this is my 15th time in China and I have been cooperating with your country for 30 years already. Believe me, this is a widely shared opinion. We discuss it with other presidents, especially leaders of the post-Soviet republics. We have the same opinion about it. And we don’t take it for granted; we appreciate it very much.” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
According to BeLTA, Xi Jinping emphasized that neither Belarus nor China will ever bow to any international hegemony or yield to the policy of bullying. “Together, we defend international justice and equality.”
“You have very correctly identified the main trend of our time – the West’s unprecedented pressure on us, primarily on the People’s Republic of China. And today the eyes of many countries, including Belarus, are on you – Beijing,” the Belarusian leader emphasised.
Five years ago people would say: “If China holds out, the world will be balanced and will go on. Today they are already saying: ‘China has held out, China will not allow the world order to be broken’. Many nations strongly believe in this. I have heard this from the heads of state with whom I have met.”
Xi Jinping has also invited Lukashenko to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit and a parade in Beijing that will take place in late August – early September this year, BelTA reports.
“A SCO summit will take place in Tianjin at the end of August. A little later, on 3 September, we will hold a parade to celebrate the victory of the global fight against fascism. I invite you to attend and will be glad to see you there,” the Chinese leader said.
Following President Lukashenko’s return home, the Belarusian National Football Stadium, a landmark project built with Chinese support, was officially opened by the head of state in the capital Minsk on the evening of June 7.
In his speech, Lukashenko expressed sincere gratitude to the Chinese leadership and Chinese partners. He said the stadium reflects both Belarusian national traditions and advanced engineering technology.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted: “We are opening this magnificent sports facility. For our country, for Belarus it is the greatest event. Just like the new international-level swimming pool this outstanding arena has been designed and built by our friends from the People’s Republic of China.”
He expressed gratitude to Xi Jinping as well as to all the Chinese partners for building this facility, Belarus’ largest and most up-to-date football stadium. The Belarusian leader addressed special words of gratitude to Chinese football players and fans: “We will do everything for you to like your stay in Belarus!”
The National Football Stadium meets the highest world standards. “I hope that in the near future in addition to friendly matches and matches of the national championship, we will be able to host official international matches and enjoy the performance of the world’s best football players here,” Lukashenko added.
In anticipation of the stadium’s opening, Minsk residents have beautified the nearby park named after the 50th anniversary of the Great October Revolution and have renewed the infrastructure of the Traktor Stadium. Thus, this green corner of the capital city has become a modern sports city block for fans of outdoor activities literally over the course of five years, the head of state noted.
It would be fitting to erect a monument to China President Xi Jinping outside Belarus’ National Football Stadium, he added, stating: “Once in Beijing during negotiations with my old but very reliable friend, President Xi Jinping I started this conversation. The Chinese are very calm and balanced people. After I shared my thoughts, he said in the Chinese way that they would think about it.”
During a regular visit of the Belarusian head of state to China, Xi Jinping unexpectedly demonstrated two models to Aleksandr Lukashenko: an international-level swimming pool and a football stadium. The Chinese president said back then that the construction of these facilities would be a gift to the Belarusian nation.
The stadium was built comparatively fast. A new swimming pool compliant with international standards has also been built in the Belarusian capital. “A gift from the Chinese people in its entirety. It cost no Belarusian money,” the president remarked.
He added: “We are officially opening the greatest ‘monument.’ At the entrance [where a sculptural composition depicting Belarusian and Chinese football players stands] I said it would be fitting to erect a monument to my friend Xi Jinping here. Because only thanks to him the Chinese have built this stadium at their own expense.”
The following articles were originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and by the Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA) and the Xinhua News Agency.
Xi Jinping Meets with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko
June 4 (MFA) — On the morning of June 4, 2025, President Xi Jinping met with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko at Zhongnanhai.
Xi Jinping congratulated Aleksandr Lukashenko again on his reelection as President of Belarus. Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Belarus are true friends and good partners. The two countries have always treated each other with sincerity and engaged each other with trust. Noting that China and Belarus share enduring traditional friendship, unshakable political mutual trust and comprehensively advancing cooperation in all fields, Xi Jinping said China always views and develops its relations with Belarus from a strategic and long-term perspective. China is ready to work with Belarus to ensure the steady and sustained growth of bilateral relations and mutually beneficial cooperation. Both sides should further strengthen coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, jointly oppose hegemonic, domineering and bullying acts, and uphold international fairness and justice.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said that this is his 15th visit to China, and on each occasion, he has truly felt the profound friendship extended by the Chinese side. Belarus thanked for China’s long-standing strong support and assistance, and has high-degree trust in China. Belarus will remain committed to developing its relations with China and actively advancing cooperation with China. In international affairs, China has firmly upheld multilateralism, opposed unilateralism and sanctions and pressure, and set an example for the world. Belarus deeply admires this and is willing to work with China to jointly defend international fairness and justice.
Wang Yi attended the meeting.
Lukashenko, Xi Jinping reaffirm commitment to friendship, agree to enhance relations
BEIJING, 4 June (BelTA) — Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Chinese President Xi Jinping have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two countries, BelTA has learned.
The visit of the Belarusian head of state to China is over. Aleksandr Lukashenko’s visit to Beijing focused on negotiations with representatives of Chinese business community. The main event was a meeting with Xi Jinping, which was held for the first time at the Chinese leader’s home – at the Zhongnanhai residence. This is a sign of special favor and friendship between the heads of state.
“My office is literally next door. This is the first time I receive you here,” Xi Jinping said during the meeting.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted, in turn, that he greatly appreciates the friendly attitude of his Chinese counterpart: “Enough to say that you have invited me to your home [the meeting took place at Xi Jinping’s residence]. I am very grateful to you and, naturally, I invite you to my home.”
“I am still surprised and amazed by the way you treat your guests, although this is my 15th time in China and I have been cooperating with your country for 30 years already. Believe me, this is a widely shared opinion. We discuss it with other presidents, especially leaders of the post-Soviet republics. We have the same opinion about it. And we don’t take it for granted; we appreciate it very much,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The leader of the People’s Republic of China gave a warm welcome to the president of Belarus. The Chinese leader highlighted their long personal friendship.
“I would like to congratulate you once again on your re-election as president of Belarus. This showed how much the people of Belarus support and trust you. I am confident that under your leadership your country will achieve even greater success,” Xi Jinping said.
The leaders’ communication lasted for two and a half hours. Summarizing the results of the visit in a brief interview with the media, Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Everything went perfectly well. I have met with my friend and we have talked. We agreed that we should intensify our interaction. It was very fruitful,” the president said.
“It was a family-like meeting. Not an official one, not a working one, but a family-like. The Chinese organized everything at the highest level. Well done. Meetings took place with [representatives of] the economic and financial sectors. Today we met with the President [Xi Jinping], Foreign Minister Wang Yi, an old friend of ours,” the president said. “I think the visit was successful. The main thing is that the corridor has been widened for them [officials on both sides] – so go ahead. That is why I told the ambassador: ‘You are fully responsible for relations with China. These are new opportunities for us.”
On a unique format of the visit
The program of the Belarusian leader’s visit to China initially envisaged a traditional friendly family meeting with the president of the People’s Republic of China.
First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov, who oversees Belarus’ relations with China and was also part of the Belarusian delegation, emphasized the special format of Aleksandr Lukashenko’s visit to China in an interview with the media.
“The talks are an additional activity. The main thing is the trip, which in principle [the level of communication] is not applied to any other world leader. It is a friendly family dinner. That is the main thing. This is the focus of the whole trip,” he said. “The international community should follow the example of friendship, mutual support, and joint development between Belarus and China, as the president’s current visit demonstrates. This is not a working or official visit. It is a visit for a family friendly dinner. Perhaps it would be great for the leaders of world powers to get together and talk about the common future of their peoples.”
According to Nikolai Snopkov, Belarus was one of the first to support the Chinese leader’s initiative to build a community with a shared future for mankind. “This is not even an economic path, but a moral one. We are following it,” Nikolai Snopkov stressed.
On one of the major areas of cooperation with China
Prior to the meeting of the two leaders in Beijing, Aleksandr Lukashenko held talks with representatives of Chinese business community.
Speaking about the upcoming meeting with the president of the People’s Republic of China, the head of state named one of the main issues on the agenda of Belarusian-Chinese cooperation: “This is the machine-building industry and technological modernization of certain areas of industry in Belarus. This is the idea of President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, who is aiming at a scientific and technical revolution in machine building.”
In general, the leaders of Belarus and China had a global agenda to discuss taking the current situation into account. “The bilateral agenda is no less global and strategic. Therefore, of course, our leader could not fail to address issues that are sensitive and important to us in strategic terms,” the first deputy prime minister said.
He added that back in 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping suggested more active promotion of joint technological development between Belarus and China based on modern Chinese technologies and Belarusian industrial expertise. This first of all pertained to mechanical engineering, tractor manufacturing, and transport engineering. “Since then, we have been very actively developing the topic. A communiqué was signed during the visit of [Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China] Li Qiang. The parties have signed detailed joint roadmaps, which define specific projects. This topic is gaining momentum. The Year of Science and Technology is coming to an end. Next year, we will launch a two-year period dedicated to industrial cooperation. Therefore, today’s meeting is a strategic message for more extensive and in-depth cooperation with one of the world’s leading manufacturers of heavy machinery,” Nikolai Snopkov said.
On strong friendship and China’s role in global world order
Long-standing friendship between Belarus and China is growing stronger. So is the inviolable political trust. Bilateral cooperation is expanding in almost all areas, Chinese President Xi Jinping said. “We maintain close contacts and coordinate our actions on the international arena, be it within the SCO or the UN. Neither Belarus nor China will ever bow to any international hegemony or yield to the policy of bullying. Together, we defend international justice and equality,” the Chinese leader added.
Xi Jinping invited Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and a parade in Beijing that will take place in late August – early September this year.
Many countries, including Belarus, are closely watching Beijing, Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
“You have very correctly identified the main trend of our time – the West’s unprecedented pressure on us, primarily on the People’s Republic of China. And today the eyes of many countries, including Belarus, are on you – Beijing,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.
According to him, five years ago people would say: “If China holds out, the world will be balanced and will go on.”
“Today they are already saying: ‘China has held out, China will not allow the world order to be broken’. Many nations strongly believe in this. I have heard this from the heads of state with whom I have met,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
Xi Jinping invites Lukashenko to SCO summit and parade in Beijing
BEIJING, 4 June (BelTA) – Chinese President Xi Jinping has invited Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and a parade in Beijing that will take place in late August – early September this year, BelTA has learned.
“A SCO summit will take place in Tianjin at the end of August. A little later, on 3 September, we will hold a parade to celebrate the victory of the global fight against fascism. I invite you to attend and will be glad to see you there,” the Chinese leader said.
Football stadium built with Chinese support opens in Minsk
MINSK, June 8 (Xinhua) — The Belarusian National Football Stadium, a landmark project built with Chinese support, officially opened here on Saturday evening, with President Alexander Lukashenko attending the inauguration ceremony.
In his speech, Lukashenko expressed sincere gratitude to the Chinese leadership and Chinese partners. He said the stadium reflects both Belarusian national traditions and advanced engineering technology.
As the largest and most modern football stadium in Belarus, it meets the highest international standards. With a seating capacity of over 33,000， the stadium was constructed under a general contract by Beijing Urban Construction Group, said the president.
It has become another landmark building in Minsk, symbolizing the solid friendship between Belarus and China, he added.
Zhang Jiasheng, deputy director of the General Administration of Sport of China, said in his remarks that the completion of the stadium is not only a major accomplishment among China’s technical and economic assistance projects, but also a vivid reflection of the political mutual trust, pragmatic cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Lukashenko expects National Football Stadium to be symbol of strong Belarusian-Chinese friendship
MINSK, 7 June (BelTA) – The National Football Stadium will be a symbol of strong Belarusian-Chinese friendship. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement during the ceremony held on 7 June to solemnly open the National Football Stadium, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted: “We are opening this magnificent sport facility. For our country, for Belarus it is the greatest event. Just like the new international-level swimming pool this outstanding arena has been designed and built by our friends from the People’s Republic of China.”
The head of state expressed gratitude to China President Xi Jinping as well as to all the Chinese partners for building this facility: Belarus’ largest and most up-to-date football stadium that combines national traditions and cutting-edge engineering solutions. The Belarusian leader addressed special words of gratitude to Chinese football players and fans: “We will do everything for you to like your stay in Belarus!”
“I am convinced that the stadium will become yet another recognizable symbol of our hero city of Minsk and a symbol of strong Belarusian-Chinese friendship,” the president stressed.
The National Football Stadium meets the highest world standards. “I hope that in the near future in addition to friendly matches, matches of the national championship we will be able to host official international matches and enjoy the performance of the world’s best football players here,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.
In anticipation of the stadium’s opening Minsk residents have beautified the nearby park named after the 50th anniversary of the Great October Revolution and have renewed the infrastructure of the Traktor Stadium. Thus, this green corner of the capital city has become a modern sport city block for fans of outdoor activities literally over the course of five years, the head of state noted.
“But it is not the end. We have to invest a lot of work in it to flood this stadium with greenery and flowers. The city administration has been given the relevant task,” the president stated.
Lukashenko suggests placing monument to Xi Jinping in Minsk
MINSK, 7 June (BelTA) – It would be fitting to erect a monument to China President Xi Jinping outside Belarus’ National Football Stadium. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the relevant statement during the ceremony held on 7 June to solemnly open the National Football Stadium, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Once in Beijing during negotiations with my old but very reliable friend, China President Xi Jinping I started this conversation. The Chinese are very calm and balanced people. After I shared my thoughts he said in the Chinese way that they would think about it.”
During a regular visit of the Belarusian head of state to China Xi Jinping unexpectedly demonstrated two models to Aleksandr Lukashenko: an international-level swimming pool and a football stadium. The Chinese president said back then that the construction of these facilities would be a gift to the Belarusian nation.
“I didn’t believe it right away because I know China and the Chinese well. But then I thought that the Chinese don’t say anything without a good reason. Even more so if the top public official says it. This is how it all started,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.
The stadium was built comparatively fast. A new swimming pool compliant with international standards has also been built in the Belarusian capital. “A gift from the Chinese people in its entirety. It cost no Belarusian money,” the president remarked.
“We are officially opening the greatest ‘monument.’ At the entrance [where a sculptural composition depicting Belarusian and Chinese football players stands] I said it would be fitting to erect a monument to my friend Xi Jinping here. Because only thanks to him the Chinese have built this stadium at their own expense. As the minister said, there are not many of those in Europe,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
