China ‘concerned’ about Ukraine crisis, resists taking sides despite US pressure
- White House confirms US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday about Russia’s aggression
- China’s envoy to the United Nations Zhang Jun called on all sides to show restraint and avoid any action that escalates tensions
“China is concerned about the evolving situation in Ukraine,” Wang said, reiterating that China’s stance on the matter had not changed and that “every country’s security concern should be respected”.
“China will continue to stick to the facts and be in touch with all parties. The situation in Ukraine is worsening. China would call upon all parties to be restrained and to recognise the universal importance of security for all, and to de-escalate tensions through dialogue,” Wang said.
According to US State Department spokesman Ned Price, during the call, “the secretary [Blinken] underscored the need to preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
During a regular press conference on Tuesday, Wang Wenbin, spokesman for China’s foreign affairs ministry, said: “We think the security interest of all countries should be respected and protected. The real type of security must be one that’s collective, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable.
“China will continue to engage with all parties, based on the factual rights and wrongs of the situation itself,” Wang Wenbin said.
06:00
Putin recognises 2 separatist regions in Ukraine, dulling hopes for US-Russia summit
China’s envoy to the United Nations Zhang Jun refrained from taking sides in the situation during a UN Security Council emergency meeting on the Ukraine situation in New York on Monday night. Zhang called on all sides to show restraint and avoid any action that escalated the tensions.
“China is paying close attention to the latest developments in Ukraine,” he said. “China welcomes and encourages all efforts that are committed to pushing forward a diplomatic solution, calls on all sides to conduct dialogue and seek a reasonable solution that addresses each party’s concerns on the basis of equality and mutual respect.”
The Ukraine separatist regions Russia says are independent
Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University, said Beijing’s reaction to the Ukraine crisis would become increasingly “abstract”, emphasising the need for peaceful settlement and that the territorial integrity of all parties be upheld.
He said China would support Russia to overcome hardship caused by “unprecedented” sanctions proposed by the West if it invades Ukraine.
“China will not challenge Western sanctions on Russia, but will indirectly help its strategic partner [Russia] reduce the current difficulties and provide support within its capacity,” Shi said, adding that the newly signed deal for the supply of 100 million tonnes of coal between the two countries was a “sign” of Beijing’s support.
Zhang Xin, associate professor of international relations at Shanghai East China Normal University, said the Chinese government was in a difficult position.
“The previous position on going back to the Minsk agreements would be one that’s hard to defend as the position has obviously developed outside this framework,” he said.
00:52
UK says West’s inaction over a Russian invasion of Ukraine ‘will be heard in Taiwan’
“I do not think Beijing would provide any new backing on the latest moves from Russia, or offer a specific lifeline [regarding] sanctions that it could be facing following any military moves,” Zhang said.
“The previous joint statement with Russia and the 15 deals reached on energy and trade would, however, still go on. If there was any ‘help’, that would be it. China would not want to be interpreted as being part of the conflict.”
Additional reporting by Amber Wang
