This undated file photo shows a portrait of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. (Press Service of the President of the Republic of Belarus/Handout via Xinhua)

MINSK, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is confidently becoming a global-level diplomatic actor, and has developed a unique model of regional security and development based on multilateral cooperation, said Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

In a written interview with Xinhua on the eve of his visit to China to attend the SCO Tianjin Summit and China's V-Day commemorations, Lukashenko said that China and Belarus both suffered enormously and played an immense role in the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, and it is crucial to preserve the memory of that great victory.

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Belarusian president will pay his 16th visit to China. Lukashenko said he has known Xi for a long time, adding that Xi thinks strategically and looks decades ahead.

"Amidst the current absolutely unpredictable situation, he valiantly assumes the leadership and offers a clear and well-defined path of development not only to China, but to the entire world," he said, noting that Xi has qualities that can be taken as an example: responsibility to his people, strategic thinking and adamant will.

Belarus and China share the highest degree of mutual trust and respect, Lukashenko said. For Belarus, Xi is not only a reliable partner, but also a sincere friend, Lukashenko noted, adding that Belarusian-Chinese relations have reached the historically highest level of all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership thanks to Xi's firm support.

"In contrast to those who are trying to 'bring democracy' with bombs and sanctions, China shows that it is possible to develop peacefully and with respect for other countries," he said.

Lukashenko recalled his first visit to China more than 30 years ago. "China was completely different at that time, but it became clear right away: this country has a great future," he said.

Belarusian president has been watching with great interest the rapid and colossal transformations of China throughout these years. "Every time I come to China, I notice how quickly it is changing, and I admire how carefully you preserve your traditions."

Lukashenko also expressed his admiration for China's achievements in areas such as industrial robots, unmanned vehicles and trucks, artificial intelligence, as well as ecology and innovative development, adding that he sees the great efforts China is making in the social sphere, in education and healthcare, to improve the quality of life of people.

"Overall, China is the brightest example of how to combine dynamic economic development with care for people," he said.

Belarus was one of the first countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In recent years, practical cooperation between China and Belarus has achieved positive results in various fields.

Lukashenko especially mentioned the Great Stone Industrial Park built by Belarus and China, which is becoming a working platform where enterprises with modern technologies, digital solutions and innovative approaches are created. "Here, competencies are born, new jobs are created and the future of the economy is shaped," he said.

The Belarusian leader said he has the most positive expectations for the upcoming visit, which will provide another opportunity to deepen bilateral strategic partnership, and inject a new impetus into Belarusian-Chinese cooperation in the trade and economic sphere, the intensification of joint projects in science, technology and industrial cooperation.

"I am absolutely convinced that Belarusian-Chinese cooperation will only get stronger. Together, we implement large-scale projects and support each other in the international arena. This is the true diplomacy of the 21st century," he said.

Lukashenko highlighted that Belarus is ready to continue to work closely with China in key areas such as aligning national development strategies, improving intergovernmental cooperation mechanisms, promoting cooperation in innovation and advanced technologies, and expanding people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

One year has passed since Belarus joined the SCO. Highlighting that the SCO is a forward-looking organization, Lukashenko said that since its establishment, the SCO has developed a unique model of regional security and development based on multilateral cooperation.

He added that the organization has proved that security challenges can be addressed not through confrontation, but through joint measures such as intelligence sharing, military exercises and trust-building between countries.

In addition to several key conventions and the establishment of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), the SCO has started new critical areas of cooperation since 2020, including cybersecurity, biosecurity and public health protection, Lukashenko said.

"We can say that the SCO is confidently becoming a global-level diplomatic actor. It offers a new approach to international relations, distinct from Western hegemonic models," he said, adding that the Shanghai Spirit ensures members cooperate as equals and reach consensus. He noted that the SCO also integrates the BRI, shapes principles for digital governance, and creates dialogue platforms for developing nations.

Economic cooperation should play a key role in the SCO's activities, Lukashenko said, urging the organization to establish reliable payment channels in national currencies and to promote investment in infrastructure and logistics.

"I would particularly like to acknowledge China's significant efforts in advancing the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, a concept that is deeply aligned with the SCO's goals," he said.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression was not only a defining part of China's history but also a crucial chapter in the world's fight against fascism, said Lukashenko, stressing that China and Belarus made great contributions in the fight against fascism and militarism.

Events like the photo exhibition held in Minsk by Xinhua to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory and China's awarding of medals to Belarusian veterans who fought for the victory are crucial in preserving the memory and educating the youth, Lukashenko stated.

"This is especially important today, amid an extremely challenging international situation where some are attempting to distort and rewrite history," he stressed, adding that Belarus and China will continue to implement joint projects in the future to safeguard the truth and memory of that war and victory.

Lukashenko also highlighted the important role that the Global South is playing on the international stage.

"The nations of the Global South are now charting their own course, acting independently in line with their national interests," Lukashenko said. "They refuse to simply echo the decisions of others, instead insisting on peaceful conflict resolution, economic equality and openness, and the full participation of all countries in addressing global challenges."

This collective force is already reshaping the world order, and its influence will only keep growing, he noted.

"Looking ahead, we count on continued fruitful cooperation with China, for the benefit of both our nations and peoples," the Belarusian president said. ■