Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) shakes hands with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko during the signing of a treaty of friendship and cooperation and a joint statement on deepening cooperation after their talks in Minsk, capital of Belarus, May 10, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Chinese people and Belarusian people made great sacrifices and immense contributions to the victory against fascism and militarism, he said.

"The purpose of our commemorative activities is to recall history, commemorate martyrs, cherish peace and sound a warning for the future," the Chinese president said.

Lukashenko said that it is of great significance for President Xi to pay a state visit to Belarus on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War.

The Belarusian side values its ties with China, Lukashenko said, noting that his country thanks the Chinese government and people for attaching great importance to the friendly cooperation with Belarus and offer strong support for the country without any political strings attached.

The two countries, he said, have seen a rapid development of exchanges and cooperation in various areas since they established a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013, including the economy and trade, investment, people-to-people and cultural sectors.

The cooperative ties between the two countries have reached an unprecedented high level, he said.

Lukashenko stressed that Belarus is now speeding up efforts and taking effective measures to implement the development plan for the China-Belarus comprehensive strategic partnership from 2014 to 2018.

Belarus is endeavoring to advance practical exchanges and cooperation with China in industry, transport, real estate, telecommunications and other fields, especially in carrying out cooperation in infrastructure, finance and investment in Belarus, he said.

The Belarusian side is willing to work with the Chinese side to promote bilateral trade and strengthen cooperation in science and technology, tourism, education and other areas, he said.

Lukashenko underscored that Belarus fully supports the China-proposed initiatives of building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and that his country is ready to become an important pillar of the initiatives.

He also voiced support for expanding people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation with China.

Citing Xi's remarks upon arrival at the airport in Minsk that the youths are the future, Lukashenko said he fully agrees with the idea, and that many young Belarusians are studying the Chinese language with enthusiasm, fostering the future of the friendly relations between the two countries.

He noted that both Belarus and China are victorious nations of WWII. Belarus gives a high appraisal to the immense contributions made by the Chinese people to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, Lukashenko said, and it supports China in holding commemorative activities to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of both China's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.