Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification. In China’s proposal for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine crisis , the foreign ministry outlines 12 points, including respect for the sovereignty of all countries, abandonment of the Cold War mentality, the cessation of hostilities and a resumption of peace talks. It also asks for a resolution to the humanitarian crisis, the protection of civilians and prisoners of war, the safety of nuclear plants and a reduction in strategic risks, such as nuclear war. Other points include facilitating grain exports (from the Black Sea, to ease the global food crisis), an end to unilateral sanctions, keeping industrial and supply chains stable, and the promotion of post-war reconstruction. Sure, the devil is in the details. But world leaders should still give the proposal careful consideration. Given the appalling human cost of the war, and the risk it carries of a wider global conflict, it behoves them to do so. The West must give this proposal for peace a chance to succeed. Terry Hewton, Adelaide, Australia China should urge Russia to make peace In February last year, Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin issued a statement that there were “no limits” to the friendship between their countries. Friends should warn one another against doing anything foolish or self-destructive. Good friends don’t simply approve of each other’s actions, no matter how harmful those actions. Should Putin die of natural courses tomorrow, his reputation would be vastly worse both in Russia and the international community than it was in 2021. If Russia fails in its invasion of Ukraine, his successor would pin all the blame on Putin. If Russia achieves any success, however limited, his successor would take all the credit. Of all the reported war crimes and atrocities over the last 12 months, perhaps the most serious is the targeting of civilian facilities such as the electricity grid . It is significant both because of the harm it causes and the high level of authorisation such action would require. Many of the other atrocities reportedly committed by Russian forces do not even require Putin’s direct approval. Point six of China’s 12-point peace plan says parties to the conflict should avoid attacking civilian facilities. Xi should be a wise friend and urge Putin to avoid civilian targets. There are many other words of advice that Xi could give – but too much wisdom at once might strain the friendship. Bruce Couchman, Ottawa, Canada
