Belt and RoadUnrest threatens China's Belt and Road 'success story' in Belarus
Democracy movement creates possible lose-lose dilemma for Beijing
A woman waves the old flag of Belarus -- now often used as a symbol of opposition to President Alexander Lukashenko -- on July 14 after two key opposition challengers were barred from running in next month's election. © Getty Images
DIMITRI SIMES, Contributing writer
MOSCOW -- Belarus' upcoming election on Aug. 9 was supposed to be yet another coronation ceremony for President Alexander Lukashenko. Instead, with the date fast approaching, the man regarded by some as "Europe's last dictator" is facing the toughest challenge of his three-decade rule -- presenting an uncomfortable conundrum for China.