Chinese President Xi Jinping said his country is willing to work with Belarus to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations at the highest level, state media reported today. Xi also said that China and Belarus should support each other to “safeguard their own core interests, oppose foreign powers’ interference in internal affairs, and ensure the sovereignty and political stability of the two countries.”

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was in Beijing to attend several state meetings. The two heads of state signed a joint statement to further develop an “all-weather” and comprehensive strategic partnership between their countries, according to state media.

Last year in September, Xi and Lukashenko announced an “all-weather” strategic partnership, increasing bilateral relations. China signed a “borderless” alliance with Belarus, a close Russian ally, just before Moscow invaded Ukraine a year ago.

Today, China and Belarus also signed bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of economy and trade, industry, agriculture, science and technology, health, tourism, and sports, Xinhua News Agency reported.