China, Belarus vow to deepen military cooperation

Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Defense Li Shangfu met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk on Thursday, vowing to deepen military cooperation between the two countries.

Li conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's warm greetings to Lukashenko, noting that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Belarus relations have been elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership of all-weather nature.

China is willing to work with Belarus to deepen and solidify mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, and better benefit the two peoples, said the defense minister.

China-Belarus military cooperation is steadily developing, and fruitful results have been achieved in strategic communication, joint training, and joint exercises, he said, stressing that both sides will work together under the guidance of the two heads of state to continuously promote the bilateral military ties.

Lukashenko said that Belarus and China have highly consistent foreign policies and both are staunch defenders of international fairness, justice, and a multi-polar world.

Belarus firmly supports President Xi's important ideas and initiatives and is willing to work with China to make new contributions to world peace, said the president.

The military relations between Belarus and China have developed well, and it is hoped that both sides can work together to safeguard the security of the two countries and regional stability and play a constructive role, he said.

On Wednesday, Li held talks with Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin to exchange views on the bilateral military relationship and the international security situation.