‘Million troops on your borders’: Can Belarus-China ties pose threat to Baltics?
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Alexander Lukashenko with his counerparts Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. / AP
Chinese diplomats have spoken out against criticism of Alexander Lukashenko’s regime, while Beijing has also sought closer military and economic ties with Minsk and Moscow. What would a bigger Beijing presence in the region mean for Lithuania and the Baltics?
In a show of budding ties, Chinese President Xi Jinping was the first to congratulate Alexander Lukashenko on “winning” the elections on August 9. However, Beijing initially remained uncommitted as Lukashenko unleashed violent crackdowns on protesters, while the opposition called out to China: even if Lukashenko falls, the growing Sino-Belarusian economic ties will remain intact.
Cuban ambassador to Belarus visits major industrial park
Cuban ambassador to Belarus visits major industrial park
Minsk, Apr 26 (Prensa Latina) Cuban Ambassador to Belarus Juan Valdes on Monday visited the China-Belarus Great Stone Industrial Park, where he met with its general director, Alexander Yaroshevich, and spoke about strengthening cooperation with the Caribbean island.
Yaroshevich explained to Valdes the functioning of the site, where 68 juridical institutions from 13 countries operate, and it is one of Europe s largest industrial parks with access to airport, the national road network and the interstate railroad system.
National companies, joint ventures and foreign firms have invested more than 650 million dollars in the project s infrastructure, Yaroshevich told the Cuban diplomat.