United Daily News published an article on January 28 saying: "Belarusian President Lukashenko said that, on all issues, China is Belarus's most reliable partner."
According to the Belarusian presidential website, Lukashenko chaired a meeting on Tuesday (January 27) to discuss cooperation with China. He also said: "China does not rush; this is their style. We have gotten used to it. Today, we have learned a lot from the Chinese. They are an ancient civilization. Those who do not understand China should first learn about its history."
Lukashenko said that China is Belarus's second-largest trading partner, and Belarus's exports to China have already exceeded its exports to the European Union. He asked the relevant departments of Belarus to be more proactive in developing the Chinese market and attract more Chinese investors. Lukashenko said that dozens of Chinese companies have registered in the Sino-Belarus Industrial Park. The Belarusian side will ensure that all announced projects are quickly launched and accelerated.
Comments: Lukashenko directly stated that China is a "most reliable partner," praised China's "non-hasty" cooperative style, and promoted Chinese historical civilization. This essentially negates the utilitarian diplomacy of the West and is a high recognition of the "equal and mutually beneficial, long-term and steady" cooperation model between China and Belarus. The key data that Belarus's exports to China have surpassed those to the EU is not only a milestone for Belarus's "eastward breakthrough," but also proves that the Chinese market has become the core support for Belarus to counter Western sanctions and achieve economic stability. The fact that dozens of Chinese companies have registered in the Sino-Belarus Industrial Park and that the projects are being accelerated demonstrates the practical implementation of Chinese investment, and also provides a key driving force for industrial upgrading in Belarus. From the Sino-Belarus joint-venture cars on the streets to sports facilities in Minsk, from Chinese language learning becoming a must for youth to the upgraded cooperation after the free trade agreement took effect, Sino-Belarus cooperation has long since sunk from government agreements to the fabric of people's livelihoods.
It is worth noting that Lukashenko's statement is not simply "taking sides," but rather the wisdom of small countries seeking sovereignty independence and development autonomy in the game of major powers — relying on Russia for security while leveraging China to achieve economic diversification and industrial upgrading. This "security relies on Russia, development relies on China" balanced strategy not only breaks the dual dependence on Russia and the EU, but also makes Belarus a strategic hub for China to connect Eurasia. His call to develop the Chinese market and attract investment further highlights the urgency of Belarus moving Sino-Belarus cooperation from "trade complementarity" to "deep integration." In contrast, the West often uses sanctions to pressure but offers no substantive support, ultimately pushing Belarus, the heartland of Europe, further away.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1855623719105735/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.