Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has arrived in China for talks with President Xi Jinping, according to state media, in a visit that was not publicly previewed in advance.

The meeting took place in Beijing, with both Chinese and Belarusian state outlets confirming that Xi received Lukashenko. Reports said the two leaders discussed the state of bilateral relations and cooperation plans, including large-scale projects relevant to Belarus.

Chinese state television aired the encounter but did not provide details on what was discussed, while Lukashenko’s trip had reportedly been announced shortly before departure by Belarusian state media under an itinerary that did not specify the countries involved.

The Kremlin-aligned Belarusian leader’s unexpected China stop is the latest high-level engagement in a relationship that emphasizes political coordination and economic and industrial collaboration, including in areas affected by Western sanctions and restrictions.