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Chinese Engagement: Beijing became a vital alternative partner, focusing on infrastructure and manufacturing projects like the Great Stone Industrial Park—an ambitious economic zone hosting over 100 international companies. Trade with China nearly doubled from $3.6 billion in 2018 to almost $8 billion in 2024, solidifying Belarus's role in China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Covert and Strategic Trade: Belarus also serves as a conduit for evading sanctions—re-routing goods into Russia under false documentation, smuggling luxury items, electronics, and vehicles. This clandestine trade, valued in billions, maintains vital cash flows for both Minsk and Moscow.