The Non-strategic Partnership. Belarus-China Relations
The Non-strategic Partnership. Belarus-China Relations

Author(s): Kamil Kłysiński, Jakub Jakóbowski
Subject(s): National Economy, Economic policy, Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Political behavior, Comparative politics
Published by: OSW Ośrodek Studiów Wschodnich im. Marka Karpia
Keywords: China; Belarus; relations; cooperation; foreign strategy; Belt and Road Initiative; economic cooperation;
Summary/Abstract: Relations between China and Belarus have been developing intensively over the past decade. This process has been fuelled by Beijing’s growing global ambitions as well as Minsk’s efforts to modernise the Belarusian economy and to partially reduce its dependence on Moscow. Increasing pressure from Russia and its inability to build closer relations with the West (which was mainly an effect of violations of human rights and the rule of law) prompted the Belarusian regime to seek alternative partners outside Europe. The aim was to increase its room for manoeuvre in foreign policy, as well as to gain additional sources of capital and new markets. Given China’s great economic potential and its interest in developing cooperation, Belarus mainly focused on China at the beginning of the 21st century, calling it a ‘close ally’. The cooperation gained momentum in the early 2010s, when China adopted a more proactive global policy after Xi Jinping had risen to power.

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