Translated with AI
A friendly match between the youth teams of China and Belarus in Minsk on Saturday marked the official opening of the National Football Stadium, built with the support of China. The opening ceremony was attended by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.
As A. Lukashenko noted in his speech, the National Football Stadium will become a symbol of strong Belarusian-Chinese friendship. "We are officially opening the greatest "monument". We are opening this grandiose structure. For Belarus, this is the greatest event. The magnificent arena, as well as the new international-level swimming pool, were designed and built by our friends from the People's Republic of China," the Belarusian president noted.
The head of the Belarusian state expressed gratitude to the Chairman of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, as well as all Chinese partners for the construction of the National Football Stadium, which is the largest and most modern football stadium in Belarus and was built with the support of China. "I hope that in the near future, along with friendly games and national championship matches, we will be able to host official international meetings here and enjoy the performance of the best football players in the world," A. Lukashenko noted.
Deputy Director General of the General Administration of Physical Culture and Sports of the People's Republic of China, Vice President of the Chinese Olympic Committee Zhang Jiasheng said that the completion of the stadium construction was not only a significant project of technical and economic Chinese-Belarusian cooperation, but also a clear indication of political trust, practical cooperation and rapprochement between the peoples of the two countries. He expressed hope that the stadium would become a platform for the dreams of the youth of China and Belarus to come true, as well as a bridge for deepening humanitarian cooperation between the two countries.
The National Football Stadium of Belarus is a key project under the Belt and Road Initiative. It is located in the industrial district of Minsk and covers an area of 12.43 hectares, with a total construction area of 48,000 square meters. The stadium has a capacity of 33,145 spectators and meets international standards for a professional football field, and is also a multifunctional sports and cultural complex.
The stadium's design is dominated by white and red colors, symbolizing the cultural characteristics of Belarus and friendship with China. The facade consists of 472 curved steel slats, creating the effect of dynamic lines when the viewing angle changes. The roof is decorated with 1,860 different types of patterned glass, reflecting elements of the Belarusian flag.
The central field lawn is equipped with an intelligent turf system, combining natural grass and artificial fibers, which ensures its green appearance all year round. Automatic drainage, soil heating, ventilation and irrigation systems create optimal conditions for players.
In an interview with Xinhua, Belarusian Sports and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk expressed deep gratitude to the Chinese people for building a stadium of the highest standards, which will allow Belarus to host international competitions. He noted that Belarusian athletes, coaches and experts highly appreciate the quality of sports facilities built with China's support.
The general contractor of the project was Beijing Urban Construction Group. Sha Yi, head of the technical team of the project, said that the company mobilized key resources, overcame difficulties and ensured progress in the implementation of the project, contributing to the development of sports infrastructure in Belarus. "This stadium has also become an important platform for strengthening sports and cultural exchanges between the two countries," Sha Yi noted.
In a friendly match, the youth teams of Belarus /U-21/ and China /U-22/ played a 1:1 draw. The Ambassador of China to Belarus Zhang Wenchuan and S. Kovalichuk presented awards to athletes of both countries. Young footballer from Belarus Arseny Skopets noted that the new stadium impressed him with its beauty and comfort. He expressed joy from the game with the Chinese team and hope for further development of sports and friendly cooperation.
