BEIJING - China is willing to work with Belarus to deepen mutual political trust, Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his Belarusian counterpart Sergei Aleinik on Friday, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.

China will continue to support Belarus' efforts to oppose external forces interfering in its internal affairs, Qin said in a phone call with Aleinik.

A year ago, Belarus, which shares a border with Ukraine and Russia, allowed Russia to use its territory as a launchpad for its attack on Ukraine. President Alexander Lukashenko said earlier in February that Belarus was ready to do so again.

Kyiv has voiced concerns for months that Belarus could join the war on Russia's side, a potential threat that has forced it to divert troops to defend the north of Ukraine while waging war with Russia in the east and south.

(Reporting by Beijing Newsroom, Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)