“We stand with Ukraine”: the Canadian embassy in Beijing in early March
Image: Getty
It has long been said that China is carefully distancing itself from Russia. But that cannot be the case. Whoever shows solidarity with the Ukrainians will be silenced.
Whe had expected that China would gradually distance itself from Moscow in view of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, which was taught better on Monday. Foreign Minister Wang Yi praised Sino-Russian relations to the skies in his annual press conference. Cooperation between the two countries “contributes to peace, stability and development in the world,” Wang Yi said. He described the friendship with Russia as “rock solid” and “one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world”. He further said, “No matter how bleak the international situation, China and Russia will (…) continue their comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.” The minister also reiterated the importance of the “Joint Statement” issued by Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the day of the Olympic Games opening ceremony in early February. In it, both countries would be directed “against a Cold War mentality,” Wang Yi claimed.
The Foreign Minister did not utter words such as war, invasion or attack. Instead he spoke of the “Ukraine problem” and the “situation in Ukraine”. He avoided any criticism of Russia’s actions and even thanked the Russian and Belarusian governments for their support of China’s efforts to rescue its own Ukrainian citizens. Otherwise, Wang Yi repeated the statement that the “situation in Ukraine” was due to “complex causes” and that the “legitimate security needs of all parties, including Russia, must be taken into account”. This reflects China’s view that Ukraine is collateral damage to the great power conflict between the United States and Russia.
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