On the first anniversary of the Ukrainian War, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs published the document "China's Position on the Political Solution to the Ukrainian Crisis", which is equivalent to China's formal entry into the Ukrainian war.
This position paper includes a total of 12 items: the first "respect for the sovereignty of all countries" takes care of Ukraine's core concerns.
Article 2 "Abandon the Cold War mentality" and Article 10 "Stop unilateral sanctions" take into account Russia's concerns.
The third article "ceasefire and cessation of war" and the fourth article "start peace talks" took into account the concerns of countries in the EU that do not want to fight anymore, especially Germany and France.
Article 5 "Resolve Humanitarian Crises", Article 6 "Protect Civilians and Prisoners of War", and Article 12 "Promote Post-War Reconstruction", all of which reflect international justice and morality.
Article 7 "Maintaining the Safety of Nuclear Power Plants" stated its objection in advance, which is of warning significance to both Russia and Ukraine.
Article 8 "Reducing Strategic Risk" takes into account the concerns of Europe and the United States, especially the European Union, and is a clear warning to Russia, which is constantly threatening to use nuclear weapons.
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang attended the Lanting Forum themed "Global Security Initiative: China's Solution to Security Dilemma" in Beijing on February 21.
(Reuters)
Article 9, "Guaranteeing the export of food," and Article 11, "Ensuring the stability of the industrial chain and supply chain," are discussed from the standpoint of global interests. There are criticisms of Russia's blockade of waterways, and opposition to US sanctions.
This is a document that takes a peaceful standpoint, is idealistic, and takes into account the concerns of all parties in a balanced manner. It is a document issued by China when Europe, the United States, Russia, Ukraine and other parties question and worry about China's position. , and it is the first position paper issued by China after following and observing the development of the situation for one year since the start of the war.
At the same time, China’s power has developed to a certain extent, and it has begun to have the ability to exert global influence on international affairs, and hopes to demonstrate this influence by intervening in the mediation of international disputes. A position paper that was accepted by most of the major powers at the poker table and not yet able to dominate the table agenda.
Wang Yi, Director of China's Foreign Affairs Office.
(Reuters)
After the release of the document, Russia and Ukraine, who were caught in the war and asked China for what they needed, all gave positive comments.
Ukrainian President Zelensky believed that China had sent a positive signal. In his speech on the 24th, he said that "China has started talking about Ukraine, which is good. In my opinion, our territorial integrity and security issues are respected.", "Let We are working with China on this, why not?"
The Russian side selected content that is beneficial to itself, claiming that it "consistent with China's views."
Vasily Nebenja, Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations, said that Russia "welcomes sincere efforts on the road to peace, such as China's proposal." The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on its official website saying that Russia "highly appreciates" China's efforts to peacefully resolve Ukraine sincere efforts to contribute to the conflict.
At the same time, the United States, Europe and NATO have completely different attitudes.
US President Biden said in an interview with ABC on the 24th that Russia agreed with China's plan, and he "has not seen any indication that the implementation of the plan will benefit anyone other than Russia." Secretary of State Blinken used Criticizing China for "walking in two boats", national security adviser Sullivan said that China's proposal should stop immediately after "calling for respect for the sovereignty of all countries".
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that "we will put it in the context that China has chosen sides." The spokesperson of the European Union's foreign affairs ministry said that the Chinese plan did not take into account the aggressors and victims in this illegal war. roles played.
The NATO Secretary-General made very sharp criticisms of this position paper.
Photo by Gao Jing, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Xinhua News Agency
Looking back at history, there is a scene that is very similar to this situation. It was in 1918. At the end of the First World War, US President Wilson proposed the "Fourteen-Point Peace Plan" on behalf of the United States to stop the war and rebuild the post-war order. "The doubts and criticisms encountered.
On January 8, 1918, Wilson delivered the famous "Fourteen Point Plan" speech to the U.S. Congress, arguing that it was the "only" feasible plan to promote world peace.
Subsequently, the fourteen-point peace plan was launched by the United States as the basis for peace negotiations.
The 14-point peace plan also embodies the idealism of American diplomacy. As a "clear stream" among the great powers at that time, compared with the old European empires and the gradually imperialized United States, the United States' diplomatic propositions at this time are not It was also based on safeguarding the United States' own interests and seeking hegemony, but at that time they did have a beautiful imagination of wanting to stop the war, restore peace, and build a framework for peace maintenance mechanisms.
The international status of the United States at that time was quite similar to that of China today.
On the one hand, the United States has risen to become the second most powerful country in the world after the United Kingdom (its industrial capacity surpassed that of the United Kingdom in 1894), and it has begun to become a force that European powers can no longer ignore in the international political arena. Power has been transformed into international influence, trying to subvert the international order originally dominated by European powers.
On the other hand, no matter in terms of means or experience, compared with those old European powers who have been playing cards for hundreds of years, the United States is still very young and naive.
Although those old powers have paid attention to the voice of the United States, they are still quite repulsive to the United States in terms of psychology and foreign policy.
In 1918, in San Francisco, USA, people wore masks and celebrated the end of World War I with banners and torches.
(San Francisco Chronicle / Polaris)
Because of the complex mentality of the European powers compared with this strength, the fate of the 14-point peace plan can be imagined. Some of its clauses were absorbed, which provided a reference for the reconstruction of the international order after World War I, but most of the clauses were rejected. Criticism and resistance by European powers.
The United States, which had run into a wall after World War I, realized that hegemony was not achieved overnight, so it continued to export American values and global governance propositions to the international community, while avoiding direct conflicts with European powers (especially the United Kingdom) and continued to bury its head. The development of industrial technology continues to widen the gap with European countries in terms of economic and military strength.
Twenty-one years later, World War II broke out, and Europe and Asia were engulfed in flames. The United States first sat on the mountain and watched the tigers fight, made a fortune from the war, and reaped the harvest when all parties were exhausted. Britain became the new world hegemon and completed the transfer of the center of world power from Europe to the United States. Those European countries that laughed at the United States and resisted the "14-point peace plan" at the beginning have become the "little brothers" of the United States.
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