Letters | Moscow visit shines light on China’s ambition to be a global peacemaker

Readers discuss China’s growing global role, and Xi’s importance to the Ukraine peace process

China-Russia relations

Letters

Published: 2:30pm, 27 Mar 2023

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Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow for a state visit, days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes in Ukraine. China seems to be positioning itself as the new global peacemaker.

Having recently brokered a rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, China is once again flexing its diplomatic muscle, this time in eastern Europe, in a show of what China is capable of, if it tried. China could be an honest broker in the Russia-Ukraine war.

But to call these moves the making of a new world order, as some have, is an exaggeration.

Whereas the United States was often dubbed the “world’s policeman”, China is trying to earn the label of “global peacemaker”. In a few weeks, China has emerged not just as a regional power but as one increasingly seeking a larger global role.

Beijing’s endgame is to be chief global peacemaker, and Washington is right to be worried.

Iveta Cherneva, Sofia, Bulgaria

Xi is central to the Ukraine peace process

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine put China in a dilemma. As Russia’s ally, China cannot break faith with an old friend; however, the world’s second largest economy also needs good relations with the US and other Western powers as it works to revive the flagging economy.

Firmly supporting Russia’s war, never mind supplying weapons, would only attract further sanctions from the US. As the Chinese saying goes, one cannot have both the fish and the bear’s paw.

But if Xi can pull off a peace deal, he will have his place among the greatest leaders of all time. As Putin’s friend, Xi may be able to persuade the Russian leader to accept peace talks – hence the great expectations for their Moscow meeting.

Xi reportedly plans to speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky soon, while the White House expects Xi to also talk to US President Joe Biden next. All of this reflects the importance of Xi’s role in the quest for peace.

If we are to avoid a third world war, world leaders must approach dialogue by first abandoning prejudices, hatred and selfish interests.

Barnaby Ieong, Macau