[Sui Xin, Dong Ming, the special correspondent of the Global Times in Russia and France, and Chen Qingqing, Zhao Shuang, the reporter of the Global Times] Recently, many international politicians announced or disclosed their plans to visit China. On February 25, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying announced the news of Belarus President Lukashenko's visit to China. On the 25th local time, French President Marcon announced at the Paris Agricultural Exhibition that he would visit China in early April. Last weekend, the Chinese ambassador to the EU also revealed that EU leaders would visit China in the first half of the year.
The White House News Agency reported on the 25th that President Lukashenko of Belarus would pay a state visit to China from February 28 to March 2, citing the White House News Office. This visit will be the continuation of the long-term process of establishing friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between Belarus and China. In September 2022, at the bilateral meeting held during the Samarkand Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the leaders of Belarus and China issued a joint statement to upgrade the bilateral relations to a new level - all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership. Belarus is also an important participant in the "the Belt and Road" initiative.
The report said that the main topic of the meeting between the two heads of state was to analyze the achievements of the development of bilateral relations and maximize the potential of the new level of bilateral relations in practice. The focus of the discussions between the two sides will include the development of economic and trade, investment and humanitarian cooperation, the implementation of joint large-scale projects, the interaction and cooperation between the two countries in the political field, and the joint response to the severe challenges in the current international situation.
In addition, the White Press Agency said that the first deputy director of the White President's Office, Maxim Renenkov, revealed on the 25th that the agenda of the two countries will also include cooperation in tourism and sports. Lei Renkov said that Belarus is willing to expand cooperation with China in the field of tourism and expects more Chinese tourists to visit Belarus. Rerenkov said, "Belarus has many scenic spots that our Chinese friends will be interested in, and we are waiting for Chinese tourists to visit Belarus." Rerenkov said that Belarus and China are currently planning to consider increasing the number of flights between Belarus and China, and to further expand bilateral ties between the two countries by opening new round-trip flights from parts of China to Belarus. Lei Renkov also said that Belarus will also invite China to participate in many sports events held in Belarus, including the second CIS Games held in Minsk this summer.
Ding Xiaoxing, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Modern International Relations, told the Global Times on the 26th that as one of the first foreign leaders to visit China after the epidemic eased, Lukashenko's visit reflected the high-level mutual trust between China and Belarus, and also reflected the importance Belarus attached to the relations between the two countries. Ding Xiaoxing said that during the SCO Summit last September, China and Belarus established an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership. Previously, China only maintained diplomatic relations with Pakistan at that level. At the same time, Lukashenko's visit coincides with the first anniversary of the Russian-Uzbekistan conflict. Belarus is in a delicate situation. Although not directly involved in the conflict, it was also subject to economic sanctions and diplomatic blockade by the West because of its relations with Russia. Therefore, Lukashenko's visit also has the expectation of seeking to further enhance strategic cooperation and strengthen economic and trade cooperation with China.
On the 25th local time, French President Marcon announced that he would visit China in April. French Radio International reported that Marcon announced that this news was the second day after China issued a document calling for a peaceful negotiation of a "political settlement" of the Russian-Uzbekistan conflict. Marcon also welcomed China's participation in peace efforts. Agence France-Presse reported that Makron said that "the fact that China is committed to peace efforts is good", but stressed that "peace is only possible if Russia stops its aggression, withdraws its troops and respects its territorial sovereignty and the Ukrainian people".
French media said that Makron had frequently expressed his willingness to visit China since the end of last year. The French Tribune said: "Now is the time to resume relations with China. Markron hopes to revive bilateral projects between the two countries, as well as the dialogue on the global climate crisis and the conflict in Ukraine and other crises. In 2021, the relationship between the European Union and China fell into tension. France believes that it should face up to the current situation and should not hinder the relationship between the two countries."
Cui Hongjian, director of the European Institute of the Chinese Academy of International Studies, told the Global Times on the 26th that France has been actively promoting European strategic autonomy, has a relatively independent diplomatic tradition, and has consciously promoted the development of multi-polarization and avoided the risk of collectivization confrontation. As far as Ukraine is concerned, France hopes to find a relatively balanced solution. Although there are no sufficient conditions allowed in the western camp, China and France can further strengthen communication and coordination on this issue to see if they can find a more balanced and sustainable solution to the Ukrainian crisis. Cui Hongjian also said that with the resumption of the mechanism that was once suspended due to the epidemic and other reasons between China and the EU, high-level face-to-face exchanges will return to normal, which will play an equal or even more leading role in China-EU relations.
