Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko says his latest trip to the Chinese mainland is not a cautious walk but a determined run as Minsk cements its place in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). With Belarus formally joining as the 10th member in 2024, Lukashenko argues the partnership has entered a new era of strategic importance 1 both for regional stability and for global cooperation.
"This is my 16th visit," Lukashenko told CMG's Zou Yun in Minsk ahead of the 2025 SCO Summit in Tianjin. "We're not just walking toward the Chinese mainland; we're running toward it." That bold image underscores Belarus's eagerness to deepen ties across trade, infrastructure and digital innovation.
Since its accession, Belarus has tapped into the SCO's network of economic corridors, opening opportunities for new rail and energy projects. Together, the 10 SCO states represent over 3.3 billion people and around 30% of global GDP, making the organization a heavyweight forum for addressing challenges from supply chain resilience to climate action.
Lukashenko praised President Xi Jinping as "an exceptional statesman respected worldwide." He described the SCO as a unifying force, saying unity among diverse nations is "the best response to today's global challenges."
Looking ahead, Lukashenko wants to harness this momentum for deeper cooperation on security, technology and cultural exchange, aiming to make the SCO a platform not just for diplomacy, but for tangible progress that resonates in cities and towns across the region.
"Our goal is clear: to strengthen unity, boost prosperity, and deliver real impact for our people," he said. "This is just the beginning of a new chapter."
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
