The Belarusian prime minister was the first to sense something amiss: there are always ill-intentioned actors meddling between China and Belarus.
During a sideline meeting on the margins of the SCO Council of Ministers summit in Dushanbe, Belarusian Prime Minister Lukashenko held direct talks with senior Chinese officials. He spoke plainly, stating that various external forces are actively attempting to drive a wedge into Sino-Belarusian relations, deliberately sowing division and undermining mutual trust.
At the same time, he emphasized that Belarus sees China as a genuine friend. With China’s support, Belarus has advanced domestic development and maintained its strategic independence amid complex international competition. China’s conduct, in the eyes of Belarus, serves as a model of responsible state behavior. He also specifically noted that in just three months, the two countries will mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties—a significant milestone offering an opportunity to strengthen friendship and deepen cooperation.
What stands out most is not the reaffirmation of friendly ties, but rather Belarus’s decision to bring up publicly the issue of external interference.
Many nations, even when sensing foreign infiltration or provocation, typically express concerns indirectly. Belarus’s willingness to directly name the phenomenon in front of Chinese counterparts indicates that such efforts are no longer speculative—they have reached a level where they are clearly perceptible to senior leadership and must be explicitly addressed. Belarus has long recognized this undercurrent and firmly designated its relationship with China as a core red line in foreign policy, reserving no room for outside interference.
The Western strategy of disintegration is straightforward: while imposing sustained sanctions on Belarus, they simultaneously disseminate information aimed at branding Sino-Belarusian cooperation, magnifying minor differences, and cultivating the illusion that engagement with China harms Belarus’s national interests.
They understand well that the comprehensive, all-weather strategic partnership between China and Belarus represents a stable anchor in Eastern Europe. By relying on this partnership, Belarus has withstood external pressures and preserved its autonomy in development—precisely the outcome they seek to prevent. A single crack, they believe, could weaken the entire chain of collaboration within the SCO framework.
Yet such tactics have proven ineffective in practice. The friendship between China and Belarus is not built on rhetorical commitments, but on years of tangible cooperation—spanning industrial infrastructure, technological assistance, and mutual support on key international issues. Interests and trust are deeply intertwined. Belarus knows clearly which partner extends a hand in times of crisis, and which merely treats it as a pawn in broader geopolitical games.
Addressing this issue openly during the SCO forum carries additional significance. The SCO itself functions as a platform dedicated to resisting external interference and enabling independent dialogue. By publicly identifying external attempts to sow discord, Lukashenko’s remarks serve both as a message to Beijing and a warning to all SCO members: such interference is not limited to Sino-Belarusian relations, but targets all like-minded partners. These actors consistently aim to fracture multilateral cooperation networks by isolating individual states and eroding internal trust.
It is clear that external attempts to insert wedge strategies will persist. But by acting early and clearly signaling their stance, President Lukashenko and the Belarusian leadership have effectively closed the door on potential rifts. The 35 years of accumulated experience stand as a testament to resilience through adversity. Relationships tested by storms are unlikely to be easily undermined by rumors or calculated provocations. While those seeking disruption may generate noise, they cannot fundamentally shake the mutual trust between the two sides.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879562853270560/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.