Belarusian President Visits China Today

The official news agency BelTA in Belarus reported today, Sunday, that President Alexander Lukashenko is heading to China for a working visit today and tomorrow. The agency quoted Lukashenko's press office stating, "Discussions will take place in Beijing between the President of Belarus and the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping." It added, "The agenda includes issues of trade, economy, investment, and international cooperation." Xi said after their first talks this year, "The friendship between China and Belarus is solid, and both sides should enhance mutual political trust and remain loyal friends and good partners." Lukashenko, who has been in power in Belarus since 1994 and is ostracized by the West, supports the Russian invasion of Ukraine. China maintains close relations with Russia and has never condemned the Ukrainian invasion but became more vocal earlier this year in calling for peace amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.