The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is giving new momentum to Belarus-China cooperation in sports and tourism, Belarusian Sports and Tourism Minister Sergey Kovalchuk told Xinhua.
Belarus became the 10th member state of the SCO in 2024. Calling the country’s accession “important,” Kovalchuk said Belarus is actively participating in SCO activities and aims to make a meaningful contribution to its development.
Describing sports as a bridge for communication between peoples and cultures, Kovalchuk stated:
“The warm and friendly atmosphere within the SCO allows people to build relationships based on harmony and mutual respect.”
He also expressed gratitude to China for supporting the construction of modern sports facilities in Belarus. Thanks to China’s assistance, the Belarusian International Standard Swimming Pool and the National Football Stadium now meet the highest global standards and are already hosting major competitions.
“These world-class facilities provide Belarusian athletes with excellent training and competition opportunities, significantly boosting the country’s capacity to host large international tournaments,” Kovalchuk added.
The minister noted that China has also initiated several SCO sports programs, such as coordinated competitions among member states and joint expert groups for their organization. “This demonstrates the SCO’s practical progress in the sports sector,” he said.
Regarding football cooperation, Kovalchuk underlined that joint training sessions and exchanges of experience have become regular. He expressed confidence that deeper collaboration will help Belarus and China achieve new success on the global football stage.
Turning to tourism, the minister described the sector as a “unique bridge” for fostering friendship and mutual understanding. He highlighted that since the launch of direct flights, hotel occupancy has remained high, driving a steady increase in tourist flows between the two countries.
Kovalchuk emphasized that Belarus welcomes Chinese tourists, pointing to the country’s rich historical and cultural heritage, high-quality medical and wellness infrastructure, unique landscapes, and cuisine blending Eastern and Western traditions. He noted that more Chinese restaurants are opening in Belarus and Chinese-language signs are becoming common in its cities.
“Chinese people show great interest in Belarus, and Belarusians eagerly look forward to their arrival,” the minister said.