Photo: Reuters
China has finally revealed its intentions after weeks of staying in the dark.
Chinese President Xi Jinping offered his support for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine crisis on Tuesday. Still, he did not offer any concrete plans or suggestions for how China might help mediate and only expressed his opposition to the Western sanctions.
In a video conference call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry of China, Xi said the affairs in Ukraine was “worrisome,” and Beijing was “deeply grieved by the outbreak of war again on the European continent.”
“China will stay in communication and coordination with France, Germany, and the EU and, in light of the needs of the parties involved, work actively together with the international community,” the statement continued, further saying that all attempts “conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be supported.”
Scholz and Macron announced plans to boost communication and coordination in peace negotiations.
Moscow and Beijing have a long-standing interest in provoking the West. Recent events, though, have thrown their relationship into question.
After the invasion, China has not denounced Russia outright or implemented any sanctions on Moscow. However, they have not also hastened to aid Moscow in its time of need when faced with economic turmoil brought about by international pressure.
Experts say that Beijing fears facing secondary sanctions by Washington if it chooses to interfere with the current situation between Russia and Ukraine.
The Chinese government continues to decline to label what happened in Ukraine as an invasion by Moscow even though they recognize how close NATO has grown along their border as justification enough why there were disputes over territory.
Xi stressed the necessity to promote peace negotiations and urged the two parties to “keep the talks going and bring about peace outcomes,” according to the statement.
Meanwhile, Xi criticized the recent US sanctions on the call, cautioning they will “dampen the global economy that is already ravaged by the pandemic.”
