Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Beijing, where they discussed strengthening political mutual trust and international coordination, according to official media. China has been eager to include Belarus as a core member of its Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to develop infrastructure across various countries. Lukashenko has faced increasing isolation due to his crackdown on political opponents and his support for Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. However, the heavily state-controlled economy of Belarus has limited the potential for significant economic cooperation with China.

Xi stressed China's opposition to external interference in Belarus' internal affairs, aligning with China's unofficial alliance with authoritarian states like Russia and Cuba, challenging the US-led liberal democratic global order. The leaders also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, although no specific details were disclosed. Belarus played a significant role as a staging ground for Russian troops and equipment prior to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Additionally, a recent study by Yale University revealed that Belarus has facilitated Russia's systematic efforts to identify, collect, transport, and re-educate Ukrainian children during the war. The study reported that over 2,400 Ukrainian children have been taken to Belarus from Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine. The meeting between Xi and Lukashenko highlights China's interest in deepening political ties with Belarus, despite limited economic prospects. It also underscores the alignment between China and authoritarian regimes amid global power rivalries and conflicts, such as the Ukraine crisis.