+ A
A -
dpa
Beijing
Chinese leader Xi Jinping called the war in Ukraine “worrying” during a video call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, the 12th day of Russia’s military onslaught on its neighbour.
China’s government has neither condemned nor condoned the attack and has refrained from calling it an “invasion” by its ally. Western countries have been eyeing Beijing to see whether it might take a mediating role in the conflict.
Xi on Tuesday “deplored ... the return of war to the European continent,” state television reported.
Though he stressed that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, Xi also said the security interests of all countries must be taken seriously in an apparent reference to Russia.
“It is important to avoid an escalation of tensions or a loss of control,” state television quoted him as saying. He welcomed German and French mediation efforts.
Xi also made reference to sanctions imposed on Russia, saying that they “are having a global impact on finance, energy, transportation as well as supply chain stability, dragging down the global economy suffering from the pandemic to the detriment of all.” Scholz and Macron had sought talks with Xi to advance diplomatic efforts to end the war.
However, China stands behind its “strategic partner” Russia, as Foreign Minister Wang Yi had made clear the day before. Beijing also refuses to condemn the invasion.
In the UN Security Council, China had only abstained from voting, which France’s president had nevertheless emphasized positively before the joint talks with Xi.
Speaking to the press in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian was rather reserved and unspecific about hopes that China, with its influence on Russia, might be able to play a mediating role.
Similar to Wang the day before, the spokesperson only said that China supports all diplomatic efforts that are conducive to a peaceful solution.
“We would like to play a constructive role in promoting peace talks, and when necessary, we are ready to work with the international community to do the mediation together with the international community,” Zhao said.
Foreign experts pointed out that China, with its demonstrative support for Russia, was not neutral and therefore not suitable as a mediator.
At the same time, Chinese experts in state media rejected Chinese mediation on the grounds that the West did not trust China and would first have to stop its “vicious campaigns” against China.
Beijing
Chinese leader Xi Jinping called the war in Ukraine “worrying” during a video call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, the 12th day of Russia’s military onslaught on its neighbour.
China’s government has neither condemned nor condoned the attack and has refrained from calling it an “invasion” by its ally. Western countries have been eyeing Beijing to see whether it might take a mediating role in the conflict.
Xi on Tuesday “deplored ... the return of war to the European continent,” state television reported.
Though he stressed that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, Xi also said the security interests of all countries must be taken seriously in an apparent reference to Russia.
“It is important to avoid an escalation of tensions or a loss of control,” state television quoted him as saying. He welcomed German and French mediation efforts.
Xi also made reference to sanctions imposed on Russia, saying that they “are having a global impact on finance, energy, transportation as well as supply chain stability, dragging down the global economy suffering from the pandemic to the detriment of all.” Scholz and Macron had sought talks with Xi to advance diplomatic efforts to end the war.
However, China stands behind its “strategic partner” Russia, as Foreign Minister Wang Yi had made clear the day before. Beijing also refuses to condemn the invasion.
In the UN Security Council, China had only abstained from voting, which France’s president had nevertheless emphasized positively before the joint talks with Xi.
Speaking to the press in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian was rather reserved and unspecific about hopes that China, with its influence on Russia, might be able to play a mediating role.
Similar to Wang the day before, the spokesperson only said that China supports all diplomatic efforts that are conducive to a peaceful solution.
“We would like to play a constructive role in promoting peace talks, and when necessary, we are ready to work with the international community to do the mediation together with the international community,” Zhao said.
Foreign experts pointed out that China, with its demonstrative support for Russia, was not neutral and therefore not suitable as a mediator.
At the same time, Chinese experts in state media rejected Chinese mediation on the grounds that the West did not trust China and would first have to stop its “vicious campaigns” against China.
