/ News
23.02.2023

Highlights of Lukashenko's interview with Chinese media

MINSK ( BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko gave an interview to Chinese media – Xinhua and China Media Group, BelTA has learned.

The interviewers were Lu Jinbo, head of the Xinhua News Agency correspondent office in Belarus, and China Media Group correspondent Li Tongtong.

The journalists were primarily interested in dynamics of relations between China and Belarus, their history and prospects. They asked about trade and economic cooperation and major joint projects that are underway in Belarus, including the China-Belarus Industrial Park Great Stone and the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation (BNBC), as well as new opportunities in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also answered questions about the geopolitical processes taking place in the world. The focus was on the conflict in Ukraine, the possibility of peaceful settlement.

The head of state stressed that no problem in the world can be resolved without China nowadays. “China has become a global country with its own global policy. I know that Xi Jinping will make a statement or a speech about the conflict in Ukraine today or tomorrow. I'd like you to note that it is an unusual step in Chinese politics. The Chinese are scrupulous and careful. They don't meddle where they shouldn't. If they understand that it cannot produce the desired results, they won't take steps in this direction either,” the president noted.

“So, if China decided to voice its stance in this manner, from the mouth of the top government official Xi Jinping, it will have serious consequences. And if this message by the leader of China is not heard by those the message is addressed to, it will have serious consequences as well,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated. “This is why just to get ahead of things I advise those, to whom Xi Jinping will address his words, to take them seriously and take certain steps. It will be a serious voice in the name of peace in this region.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko gave his take on the recent visit of U.S .President Joe Biden to Kiev. The Belarusian head of state believes that Biden's visit to Ukraine is one of the series of events alongside with the Chinese balloon incident. “The visit of Joe Biden to Kiev had a similar purpose. Such a petty, inappropriate move,” the Belarusian leader said.

However, there is nothing novel about this move, as a similar visit, also by the Americans, took place not so long ago, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted. “This is parroting. A similar thing has already been done. The same kind of visit. What for? Because of the presidential election. Joe Biden wants to use war in his pitch for re-election. It is not going to work,” the president said.

“You understand well what the situation in the world is today. China will not be left in peace,” the Belarusian leader said. “China is the main rival of the United States. The Americans do not hide this. It is sad that they stoop so low,” he said.

The head of state explained that he meant the Chinese civilian air balloon incident over the United States. “They put on a show like they always do. They made a big deal out of nothing to convince their society of the ‘danger' of that Chinese object. When the attention of 300 million people, Americans, was glued to that object, they shot it down. For what? The election campaign is round the corner. They did it to show their heroism.”

Xinhua News Agency, founded in 1931, is now considered China's most influential online resource. News reports in multimedia format are broadcast around the clock in eight languages, including Russian. The agency's audience, according to various estimates, ranges from 800 million to 1 billion people. Xinhua has 35 offices in China and more than 180 offices abroad, including Minsk.

China Media Group is one of the largest media corporations in the world. It was set up in 2018 on the basis of China Central Television, People's Radio, and China International Radio. The group also includes the CGTN network of foreign broadcasting channels. Materials of the media group are available in 143 countries and regions, reaching an audience of over 1 billion people in China and abroad.