China suddenly wants to mediate in the Ukraine war - but insists on a "comprehensive partnership" with Putin

Created: 03/08/2022 05:14

By: Sven Hauberg

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed the press on Monday.

© IMAGO/Li Xin

China has announced its partnership with Russia.

Beijing still wants to act as a mediator in the Ukraine war.

Munich/Beijing – China* came into play as a mediator in the Ukraine war*.

At a press conference on Monday (February 7), Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing was ready to work with the international community to ensure "the necessary mediation".

Wang also stressed that his country will not side with either Russia or the West, but will maintain its "independent position."

China's position on the Kremlin is "not influenced by any third party".

It is now important to keep calm instead of "pouring fuel on the fire," Wang continued.

At the same time, however, Wang also made it clear that his country would continue to maintain good relations with Russia*.

"No matter how treacherous the international storm, China and Russia will maintain their strategic resolve and advance the comprehensive cooperative partnership in the new era," Wang said when asked about the international sanctions against Moscow.

The relationship between Russia and China is "one of the most important bilateral relations in the world" and contributes to "peace, stability and development in the world".

Ukraine war: China worried after attack on Ukrainian nuclear power plant

The Chinese foreign minister did not condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

China had already avoided taking a clear position against Moscow's aggression in the past few days.

China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang* didn't say a word about the invasion during his speech at the session of the National People's Congress on Saturday*;

however, under the impact of the crisis, Li set the lowest growth target for the Chinese economy in 30 years.

Accordingly, the Chinese economy will only grow by 5.5 percent in the current year.

Not only the corona pandemic * and a real estate crisis in their own country are to blame, but also global risks and a “serious and uncertain” outlook for the coming months.

The People's Congress also announced that China's military spending will increase by 7.1 percent to $230 billion.

In the Ukraine conflict, China has so far adopted the Russian wording and speaks of a military operation, but not of a war.

However, Beijing repeatedly emphasized the sovereignty and independence of the individual states.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin voiced cautious criticism of Russia's actions in Ukraine last Friday when he expressed "serious concern about the security situation of the nuclear facilities in Ukraine".

Russia had previously attacked Europe's largest nuclear power plant in Zaporizhia, whereupon a fire broke out at the plant*.

China: Taiwan conflict not comparable to Ukraine crisis

At the press conference on Monday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi also commented on the Taiwan conflict*.

This is not comparable to the Ukraine crisis because it is an "internal matter" in China.

Beijing regards the democratically governed island nation as a breakaway province and part of its own territory, although Taiwan has never been part of the People's Republic of China.

Recently, it has been repeatedly speculated that China could use the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a blueprint for an invasion of Taiwan*.

It is a "blatant double standard when some respect Ukraine's sovereignty but repeatedly violate China's sovereignty over Taiwan," Wang said.

A delegation of former US defense officials, including ex-Chief of Staff Mike Mullen, visited Taiwan last week.

A few days later, former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo travels to Taipei.

The US does not officially recognize Taiwan, but supports the country with arms deliveries.

Wang: "US provokes China on issues of vital interest"

It is unclear whether the US would support Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack.

Foreign Minister Wang has now stressed that Taiwan's independence would plunge the country into a "dangerous situation".

He expressed his belief that one day Taiwan will "return to the embrace of the motherland."

Wang also accused the USA* of wanting to build an “Indo-Pacific version of NATO” in Asia and of acting with a “Cold War mentality”.

"The US is provoking China on issues of vital interest" and contributing to "eroding international peace," Wang said.

The relationship with the European Union*, on the other hand, is “not influenced by any turn of events”;

they share many "common interests," Wang said.

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