INTERVIEW: Bright and Powerful. The National Exposition at the CIIE in Shanghai as a Mirror of Modern Belarus

Sergei Lukashevich First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus National Exposition of Belarus at the China International Import Expo (The China International Import Expo 2025 (CIIE) in Shanghai, which opened on November 5, is a reflection of modern Belarus, a country with rich traditions confidently moving into the future, relying on agriculture , industry, science, and high technology. This was stated in an interview with a BELTA correspondent on the sidelines of the CIIE by First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Sergei Lukashevich, who is participating in this large-scale global forum. He highlighted several aspects of the Belarusian exhibit, the intricacies of interaction with China in general, and which Belarusian goods have become popular on the Chinese market. "The national exhibit of Belarus is impressive in its brightness and diversity of products and, as we can see, has attracted a huge amount of attention from visitors since its opening. Please tell us about the main focuses of the Belarusian exhibit at the CIIE. 

" "Yes, indeed, there is enormous interest in our exhibit. A great many Belarusian products are on display, which are of interest to visitors and participants.
One of our main export positions on the Chinese market—one could say, Belarus's calling card—is agricultural products and food products .Despite a decline in meat product shipments this year due to unfavorable price conditions on the Chinese consumer market, positive trends have been observed in exports of rapeseed oil, whey powder, whole milk products, mineral water, and alcoholic beverages. Agricultural products and foods account for over 60% of Belarusian non-potash exports. Belarus makes a significant contribution to China's food security . The selection of products for the national exhibit at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai was based on several key criteria.
The first is demonstrating traditions and diversifying exports. The "Food and Agricultural Products" pavilion features flagship products from our agricultural sector, from "Babushkina Krynka" and "Bellakt" to "Kommunarka" and "Slodych." These are Belarus's calling cards, earning the well-deserved trust of Chinese consumers. However, today we are importing more than just milk or meat ; we are bringing highly processed products with innovative features. For example, probiotic-enriched dairy products, healthy eating products, and gourmet meats. 
We're also deliberately expanding our line of brands known in China. While previously we focused on a few key names, today we represent an entire holding company, such as the Mogilev Dairy Company or Brestmyasomolprom Concern, demonstrating the power of entire clusters rather than individual plants.

The second focus of the exhibition is the strategic shift toward exporting high technologies and solutions. The "High-Tech Equipment and Information Technology" pavilion is a fundamentally important message for us. We demonstrate that Belarus is not only a food security partner but also a technological and intellectual partner for China. 
High-tech equipment from Planar OJSC, as well as deep chemical processing products from Grodno Azot, Polotsk-Steklovolokno, and Mozyr Oil Refinery, which form the foundation for China's innovative industries, are on display here. Science, education, and IT are represented by our "idea generators": BSU, BNTU, BSUIR, and the BNTU Polytechnic Scientific and Production Complex. Akadempharm and the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus showcase innovative pharmaceutical substances and biotechnology.

The composition of the Belarusian exhibitors precisely reflects the development logic of Belarusian-Chinese relations: from trade to cooperation, from procurement to joint investment and scientific and technical projects. We offer China a comprehensive partnership, where Belarusian meat and dairy products are combined with Belarusian microelectronics, software, and scientific research.
Thus, our exhibit at the CIIE is a mirror of modern Belarus: a country with rich traditions, including agricultural ones, confidently moving into the future, relying on industry, science, and high technology. We are creating a new, multifaceted image of a reliable partner for China in the heart of Europe. - Sergey Vladimirovich, what importance does Belarus attach to cooperation with China at the exhibition level?

- The participation of Belarusian enterprises in Chinese exhibitions is an integral part of our strategy to promote national exports and strengthen the "Made in Belarus" brand. This initiative is actively supervised and supported at the intergovernmental level.
One of the key multi-industry exhibitions remains the China International Import Expo (EXPO) in Shanghai, which I had the opportunity to participate in this year. 

Belarus regularly presents a national pavilion at the CIIE. I'd like to point out that in recent years, we've seen a qualitative increase in our exhibition: from traditional food products (dairy, meat, and confectionery), we're moving toward high-tech products, including electronics, automotive components, and IT products. 

The CIIE is a clear demonstration of our commitment to increasing exports to China .
The China-Eurasia Expo (EXPO China-Eurasia) in Urumqi is also an important gateway for Belarusian goods to western China and Central Asia. Our food, beverage, and consumer goods companies find new partners there. Participation in this exhibition underscores Belarus's role as a logistics and trade hub within the Belt and Road initiative.

We also understand that reaching niche professional audiences is crucial for effective contracts. In this vein, Belarusian companies are increasing their activity at other venues. For example, the Canton Fair, one of the oldest and largest trade fairs, attracts Belarusian manufacturers of industrial goods, equipment, and consumer products. I would like to emphasize that this is a proven platform for establishing direct contacts with Chinese distributors and manufacturers. Here, we are expanding our cooperation in exports and imports, as well as in finding partners for joint production projects. 

The SIAL exhibition is a key event of the year for our agro-industrial giants, such as Savushkin Product, Babushkina Krynka , and the Belgospischeprom concern. Contracts for the supply of dairy, meat, and other food products are concluded there, directly contributing to the goal of increasing agricultural exports.
I would like to emphasize that the participation of Belarusian enterprises in Chinese exhibitions is systematic, large-scale, and qualitatively growing. We are witnessing an evolution from the presentation of raw materials to the promotion of high-tech products with added value. Each such exhibition is not only an opportunity to conclude direct contracts but also an important step in shaping Belarus's positive image as a reliable and technologically advanced partner for China in the heart of Europe.

- Belarus and China are bound by strong ties of an all-weather, comprehensive strategic partnership and ironclad brotherhood. In your opinion, what is the foundation of this?

- Belarus and China demonstrate to the world an example of genuine, open, and effective cooperation. This was made possible by the deep personal friendship and mutual trust between the leaders of our countries, and their shared interest in developing mutually beneficial relations that have reached the level of an all-round and comprehensive partnership.
As President Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly emphasized , China is our key political and economic partner. We see enormous potential in the Belt and Road Initiative for integrating the Belarusian economy into global supply chains, and the Chinese market, with its nearly 1.5 billion people, is of enormous interest to us.

China views Belarus as a key partner within this initiative, which implies long-term investment.and the implementation of joint projects aimed at developing transport infrastructure, industry, and trade. This partnership plays a key role in strengthening Belarus's economic sovereignty. Following the visit of Chinese State Council Premier Li Qiang to Belarus in August 2024 , the governments of our countries were tasked with studying and applying China's modernization experience, developing new productive forces through joint projects, and introducing Chinese technologies in Belarus. To further this goal, a bilateral Industrial Cooperation Commission was established in May 2025, and 2026-2027 have been declared the Years of Industrial Cooperation. Joint projects are being implemented with Chinese high-tech companies to localize and create new production facilities in the automotive industry (with Geely), refrigeration equipment manufacturing (with Midea), foundries, machine tool manufacturing (with Shandong Deed Precision Machine Tool Co., Ltd., Genertec, and Smartech), and a number of other areas.
In terms of trade, China is Belarus's main partner in the Asian region. In 2024, our trade turnover reached $8.5 billion, representing a 12% increase compared to the previous year. Over the past decade, China's share of Belarus's total exports has increased 2.5-fold, demonstrating the growing demand for our goods in the Chinese market. 
Belarus is among the top 10 suppliers to China for such items as potash fertilizers, rapeseed oil , poultry , timber, milk powder and whey, and frozen beef . 
Logistics remains an important area of ​​trade cooperation. Belarus is actively developing transport corridors, including rail transport, which contributes to increased trade volumes. We are also working to expand "green corridors" to expedite the delivery of goods to China and minimize the costs of overcoming control barriers. Belarus's transport system has all the necessary potential to handle the growing volume of trade between our countries and is ready to fully meet China's needs for freight transport between our countries and the European Union. 
Belarusian Railways has established constructive cooperation with the state-owned company China Railways, ensuring the timely flow of existing freight traffic, significantly increasing freight volumes, and increasing train speeds between China and the country.

In the near future, we plan to expand our export portfolio, develop e-commerce, attract Chinese companies to establish joint ventures, and strengthen interregional cooperation. Our goal is to make high-quality Belarusian goods accessible in all provinces of China. Shanghai is a key financial, scientific, and cultural center of China, so

can we say that Belarus's relations with Shanghai are particularly significant and are developing in the spirit of long-term mutually beneficial cooperation? 

Minsk and Shanghai are sister cities. Three separate sister city agreements have also been signed between districts of Minsk and Shanghai. This year can arguably be called one of the most active periods of cooperation between Belarus and Shanghai. As the Guest of Honor at the 18th Pujiang Innovation Forum, Belarus presented its innovative products on a large scale – developments by Belarusian organizations and the achievements of Chinese-Belarusian scientific and technological cooperation. Becoming the Guest of Honor at a forum of this level was a special honor for us. It was probably the first time our country's name could be seen on the Shanghai Tower! But the main result of the forum was, of course, not this, but the signing of a number of cooperation agreements between scientific organizations. Every year, Belarusian manufacturers participate extensively in the region's major international exhibitions. I've already mentioned this, but I'll emphasize it again: Belarus's participation in the China International Import Expo (EXPO), which is currently underway, and the China International Food and Beverage Expo (SIAL), which took place in May.  Shanghai has developed a strong manufacturing base for electric motors, industrial robotic manipulators, medical equipment and machinery, electronics, and electrical engineering. Domestic enterprises have significant potential for deepening economic partnerships and are ready to collaborate with Shanghai-based companies. Relations in the humanitarian sphere—education, culture, and healthcare—are also actively developing. Belarus's main Shanghai partner university is East China Normal University (ECNU), which has been home to China's first Center for Belarusian Studies since 2012. At the initiative of Chinese partners and a request from Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno, approved by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus, work began this year to establish a joint laboratory with Fudan University, the "Interdisciplinary Research Center for Complex Systems."







I would like to emphasize that scientific and practical cooperation in healthcare has been established between the Mother and Child Republican Scientific and Practical Center and the First Shanghai Maternal and Child Health Hospital, the Shanghai Rehabilitation Hospital "Svet," and the Republican Center for Medical Rehabilitation and Balneotherapy. This year, the International Scientific and Practical Center for Surgery, Transplantology, and Hematology of the Republic of Belarus and the Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital became friends; medical professionals will exchange experiences in thoracic surgery and traditional Chinese medicine.
Another important aspect is that recently, the Mikhail Savitsky Art Gallery in Minsk hosted the opening of an exhibition of contemporary Chinese photography (Shanghai), "Dialogue of Cultures." The project, curated by Sun Yongkang and Liu Zheyuan, brought together the works of four outstanding masters of photography from different generations: Shen Zhonghai, Xu Haifeng, Ye Zile, and Chen Chuanduan—all Shanghai-based photographers who have gained international recognition. Now, residents of Belarus have had the opportunity to see their work, indicating that cooperation with Shanghai is developing in many areas.

Overall, Belarusian enterprises, organizations, and regions are constantly promoting themselves to Chinese audiences, and Belarus hosts a large number of delegations from China every year. Shanghai, of course, is at the forefront of our bilateral cooperation in this regard. According to updated information, in the first half of 2025, trade turnover with the Republic of Belarus grew by 75.7%, including a 64.3% growth rate in imports from Belarus. Overall, there is great potential for economic and trade partnership between the regions of Belarus and Shanghai in all areas.
Which Belarusian products have already become popular on the Chinese market?
We are constantly working to increase exports and the number of Belarusian companies accredited to supply China. We are also expanding our cooperation with Chinese industry agencies, chambers, and trade associations. We are developing and building effective transport corridors.

This year alone, we accredited 10 new food producers and received 20 new numbers for nine types of products that had not previously been supplied to China. Currently, 255 active export numbers for 191 Belarusian food producers are registered in the CIFER system of the State Customs Service of China. These new products include instant cereals and flakes, wheat gluten, dry milk formulas, canned vegetables, sauces, baby food , starter cultures for the food industry, flour , cereals, and much more.
We have also made significant progress in the supply of timber, pulp, electronic integrated circuits, parts and accessories for data processing machines, carbon, processed flax, and alcoholic beverages. Based on the results of the first eight months of this year, export growth rates for these items are, on average, 1.5-2 times higher than last year's figures. 

- Sergey Vladimirovich, let's return to the topic of the CIIE in Shanghai, which is taking place from November 5-10. What does Belarus expect from the exhibition?

- Participation in the China International Import Expo in Shanghai is an investment in the future of the Belarusian-Chinese trade and economic partnership. The Belarusian government and exhibiting companies expect specific, measurable results from the exhibition in a number of areas.
First, as I already mentioned, this is the growth and diversification of Belarusian exports to China.

The government is challenging exhibitors to simply confirm existing supplies, but to significantly increase the range and volume of products. We expect that traditional agricultural and food exports (from Babushkina Krynka, Bellakt, and meat processing plants) will be supplemented by long-term contracts for the supply of new types of highly processed products.

Secondly, we hope to strengthen trust in the "Made in Belarus" brand and establish direct long-term relationships.

For Belarusian companies, CIIE offers a unique opportunity to work directly with major Chinese distributors, retailers, and industrial corporations, bypassing multi-layered intermediaries. We anticipate that face-to-face meetings and negotiations at the exhibition will allow our exporters not only to conclude new contracts but also to build sustainable supply chains, understand consumer preferences, and adapt their products to them.
We also aim to promote the country's socio-cultural and tourism potential to strengthen its image internationally and increase its recognition. At the country pavilion, guests of the exhibition were warmly welcomed by a performance by the Belarusian State Academic Honored Choreographic Ensemble "Khoroshki," a presentation of higher, professional, and digital education in the Republic of Belarus, and a presentation of our tourism potential. Interactive events are being organized throughout the exhibition, including tastings of Belarusian cuisine, master classes in wreath-making, bead and bracelet making, and straw weaving, as well as the distribution of souvenirs and printed materials with Belarusian symbols in English and Chinese.
From the participation of our leading scientific, educational institutions, and high-tech companies, we expect not so much immediate contracts as the conclusion of memorandums of understanding, the creation of joint laboratories, and the launch of innovative projects.

- Based on your observations,What Belarusian things do the Chinese like?
Thank you for your question; it allows us to look at our partnership not only from an economic but also a civilizational perspective. 

Our Chinese partners—from government officials to business representatives—consistently emphasize that they value the highest level of political trust and reliability in Belarus. In an unstable global environment, Belarus has proven itself a country that always keeps its word and fulfills its commitments. This isn't just rhetoric—it's the foundation on which billion-dollar projects are built. 
Regarding Belarusian products, China is no exception. As in many countries where Belarus exports its agricultural and food products, Chinese consumers value their quality and environmental friendliness. Belarusian meat and dairy brands are associated in China with clean, natural, and safe products. In a country with a high level of urbanization and a demand for healthy eating, Belarusian food products have become synonymous with the "taste of childhood" and "European standards." We are valued for our exemplary milk, natural canned meat, and high-quality confectionery.
Incidentally, the launch of the "National Pavilion of the Republic of Belarus" in the Chinese digital space in 2022 has provided direct access for Belarusian products to the Chinese consumer. The number of subscribers is growing daily and has already exceeded 2.8 million. Belarusian chocolate, powdered milk, candies, breakfast cereals, and beverages are in greatest demand.

I would also like to note that more and more Chinese tourists are discovering Belarus, and they like what they see: cleanliness, order, safe streets, and a rich cultural and historical heritage. 
The image of Belarus as a country with beautiful nature and hospitable people is beginning to take a prominent place in the travel preferences of the Chinese middle class.
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Alina GRISHKEVICH, photo by the author,
BELTA.