Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, March 1, 2023. Xi held talks with Lukashenko in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Beijing on Wednesday.

Xi said in Samarkand in September last year, he and Lukashenko jointly announced upgrading bilateral relations to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership, injecting strong impetus into bilateral cooperation in various fields.

For China, this year marks the beginning of the full implementation of the guiding principles laid down at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). China's high-quality development and modernization process will bring new opportunities to other countries including Belarus, Xi said.

Hailing the unbreakable China-Belarus friendship, Xi stressed that the two sides should further enhance political mutual trust and remain each other's good friends and partners.

He said China highly appreciates Belarus's firm support for China's justified position on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong, and on human rights.

The two sides should firmly support each other's choice of development path, support each other in safeguarding respective core interests, oppose external interference in internal affairs, and protect their sovereignty and political security, Xi said.

The two presidents agreed to expand economic and trade cooperation, do a good job in building the China-Belarus Industrial Park, and focus on the joint building of the Belt and Road to advance cooperation in connectivity projects such as the China-Europe Railway Express service.

They pledged to jointly implement the China-proposed Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative.

"Faced with the unstable and uncertain international situation, China is ready to work with Belarus to promote the sound and stable development of bilateral relations at a high level," Xi told Lukashenko.

China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Belarus at multilateral fora, including the United Nations, to jointly address global challenges and build a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said.

Lukashenko said that China is a mainstay in safeguarding world peace. Belarus is willing to strengthen coordination with China on major international and regional issues and jointly commit to safeguarding international and regional security and stability, he said.

Congratulating China on the success of the 20th CPC National Congress, Lukashenko said President Xi is a beloved leader for the Chinese people and enjoys great prestige in the world, adding that he is convinced that China will continue to make new brilliant achievements under his strong leadership.

Lukashenko offered his wishes for complete success in the upcoming annual sessions of China's national legislature and top political advisory body, saying he believed they will have an important impact on the future of China and the world.

The two heads of state also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other issues. Xi pointed out that China's stance on the Ukraine crisis has been consistent and clear, and China has already released a paper stating its position on the political settlement of the crisis.

"China's position boils down to supporting talks for peace," Xi stressed, calling for adherence to the direction of political settlement, abandoning the Cold War mentality, respecting legitimate security concerns, and helping forge a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture.

Instead of politicizing the world economy or using it as a tool, relevant countries should do things that are conducive to a ceasefire and the peaceful settlement of the crisis, Xi said.

Lukashenko said the Belarusian side fully agrees with and supports China's position and proposals on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, which is of great significance in finding a resolution.

The two heads of state signed a joint declaration on furthering the all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents on economy and trade, industry, agriculture, customs, science and technology, health, tourism, sports and sub-national levels.

Prior to the talks, Xi held a welcoming ceremony for Lukashenko in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People. After the talks, Xi hosted a welcoming banquet for the Belarusian leader.