Belarus has been heavily sanctioned and tarred by the West for its backing of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Cut off from its traditional trade routes, the country has turned east, increasingly depending on China for economic and even political support. In the Zhongnanhai talks, Xi stressed the “unbreakable” political trust between the two countries and the need to uphold global fairness and justice.

Increased Collaboration and Common Challenges
Lukashenko, for his part, referred to increasing Western pressure on both countries, particularly the US. Countries including Belarus are now turning to Beijing for leadership, he said. Xi reaffirmed China’s close partnership with Russia last month in a visit to Moscow that cemented their alliance as “friends of steel” in a world in which power is increasingly contested.

Aides to Mr. Kravchuk said he has not yet spoken with Mr. Lukashenko, who may be threatened by the reach of his counterpart in Ukraine, which lies just to the north of Belarus’s eastern border, downwind from the rising protests in the east. Belarus has long been in Russia’s camp, but has turned increasingly to China for financial support and investments. Lukashenko, who has gone to China 15 times, still views Beijing as a key to upgrading Belarusian industries.

In 2023, Belarus formally aligned itself as a BRICS partner nation, and became a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), strengthening economic and military ties with the east.

Trade gaps song rose while ties exert tightened.
While ties between Belarus and China are growing, economic inequality persists. In 2024, China’s trade surplus with Belarus jumped by 47.6 percent to $4.77 billion. From China, exports like cars, washing machines and digital television receivers were far greater than the imports from Belarus, which were primarily agricultural fertilizers.

But for all these imbalances, both sides have promised to intensify co-operation and deepen economic integration, in the hope of solidifying the relationship against Western pressure and promoting mutual development.