The sanctions imposed against Russia will not hit China in any way, however, secondary sanctions may be imposed against Beijing based on its refusal to support the West’s restrictions against Moscow. On Friday, March 11, such an opinion was expressed to Izvestia by the chief researcher at the Center for Political Research and Forecasts of China’s Development at the Institute of the Far East of the Russian Academy of Sciences, sinologist Vladimir Portyakov.
“These sanctions do not hit China directly, but they can hit indirectly – because of statements that China will not support sanctions, secondary sanctions may be applied to it,” he suggested.
According to the sinologist, the West is actively forcing the PRC to join or at least not act contrary to anti-Russian sanctions, but China makes it clear that it does not want to join them.
“Now we are just counting on China as a possible alternative replacement for the West in terms of marketing, first of all, oil, gas and food, although there are some doubts. In 2014, some of the hopes associated with China collapsed precisely because some Chinese banks, primarily the Bank of China (bank for export trade), actually supported the West’s line, ”said Portyakov.
Earlier in the day, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, commenting on Beijing’s position on the Ukrainian crisis, said that anti-Russian sanctions would affect the global economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic and harm all parties.
In addition, Li Keqiang during press conferences pointed out that the PRC will develop cooperative relations with all parties in the spirit of mutual respect, mutual benefit and mutually beneficial results, strengthening world stability.
On March 8, the United States threatened to impose sanctions on Chinese companies if the economic restrictions imposed on Russia were ignored. It is also reported that Washington could “virtually shut down” Chinese companies if they ignore US sanctions that limit the supply of microchips and other technologies to Russia.
Earlier in the day, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that if China did not comply with anti-Russian sanctions, it would incur US retaliatory steps. Psaki noted that China is currently complying with the sanctions regime.
On March 5, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on the United States, NATO and the European Union to engage in an equal dialogue with Russia to develop a sustainable mechanism for ensuring security in Europe.
On February 28, China refused to support new sanctions against Russia. It was clarified that China opposes unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law.
Western sanctions followed in response to the Russian-led operation to protect the Donbass, the beginning of which Putin announced on February 24. The situation in the region escalated significantly in mid-February due to shelling by the Ukrainian military. The authorities of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics announced the evacuation of residents to the Russian Federation, and also turned to Moscow for help. On February 21, Putin signed a decree recognizing the independence of the DPR and LPR and promised to support the republics.
For more up-to-date videos and details about the situation in Donbass, watch the Izvestia TV channel.
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