China strengthens ties with Belarus. Prime Minister Li Qiang is visiting the Russia-allied and EU-bordering dictatorship and is to sign a trade agreement.
Li met with Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukasjenko on Thursday. The Chinese leader met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier in the week and spoke about the countries' "historically" strong ties.
Sanction-hit Belarus is to increase its exports to China, and China is to invest more in Belarus, according to a report from the regime in Minsk. Lukasjenko expresses hope for a "large influx of Chinese technology".
Both countries are accused of enabling and supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine in various ways. Aleksandr Lukasjenko has become increasingly isolated and dependent on Russia since he received Russian help to quell large-scale popular protests that broke out after a rigged presidential election in the summer of 2020.
