SAMARKAND, 15 September (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko and China President Xi Jinping have come to an agreement on a historic upgrade of cooperation to a new level. The news was released as the two heads of state met in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 15 September, BelTA has learned.

Xi Jinping stated: “Dear President Lukashenko, my good friend, I am very glad to meet with you. It is our first face-to-face meeting since the pandemic began. A meeting of old friends is always warm. Our bilateral relations have been incessantly advancing over the 30 years of China-Belarus diplomatic relations. Together with Mister President the reached agreements are being effectively realized, all-round cooperation of the two countries is characterized by strength and resilience. As a result of the meeting we are passing a joint declaration on establishing relations of all-weather and all-round strategic partnership and implement a historic upgrade of our cooperation to a new level.”

Xi Jinping assured he is ready to continue working together with Aleksandr Lukashenko to realize mutual political support and activate the entire complex of China-Belarus cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries. The China president also expressed gratitude for the close attention paid to China-Belarus relations.

BelTA reported earlier that in September 2016 the leaders of Belarus and China established relations of trustful all-round strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation. Later on an agreement in principle was reached on advancing the relations to “iron brotherhood, exemplary all-round strategic cooperation and all-weather partnership”.

Aleksandr Lukashenko thanked his Chinese counterpart for the fact that in these complicated times – the pandemic and instability in the world – the sides had found strength and resolve to advance the relations to a new level of iron brotherhood, exemplary all-round strategic cooperation and all-weather partnership. “To a very decent and worthy level. And we will do everything for you not to regret it and not be mistaken about your choice,” the Belarusian head of state assured.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Dear Chairman, I thank you for the kind words you've just said. If you want to know our attitude to the People's Republic of China and to you personally right now, you can multiply what you've said by two. You have always been not simply a solid and reliable friend for us but a serious support in these complicated times. You know what those are as well as I do. I'd like to once again underline our determination to advance the relations. We have always supported China on all matters of principle.”