- Tessa Wong
- Digital Asia Correspondent, BBC News
image source, Getty Images
Wang Yi was photographed by the Hungarian media in a friendly manner as he met with Trade and Foreign Minister Peter Siarto.
Over the past year, Western nations have tried to persuade China to help them end the war on Ukraine. But that doesn’t seem to be what many Western nations want.
in these few days China has begun persuading nations, starting with a visit to Europe by China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi. He was warmly received by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
The Chinese government has issued two position papers. In the first, China proposed a solution to the war, and in the second, China proposed a plan for world peace.
Most of them are the discussion points that China has emphasized over the past year. Calling on respecting (Ukraine’s) sovereignty and defending national security interests (of Russia), while opposing unilateral sanctions (US).
Western nations may not appreciate China’s stance on truce and consider it unlikely to be the main goal of the Chinese government.
First, China has made a clear stance as a builder of world peace. It can be seen from what nations China is trying to convince. According to one of the Chinese documents, there are links to Southeast Asia, Africa and South America. Also known as the Southern Hemisphere (Global South).
In expressing an alternative vision to the US-led world order China has sought support from the rest of the world. which is waiting to see that How will the West deal with the Ukrainian crisis?
But another goal is Sending a clear signal to the US.
“There are some challenges,” said Alexander Korolev, an expert on China-Russia relations. The University of New South Wales said: “China is signaling ‘if things get worse between us. I have someone to look for Russia is not alone. which means I won’t be alone when it’s time to face… Don’t bully me at ease.'”
Observers said that The timing revealed something. US relations and China reached a new low. Made worse by the spy balloon story. Some people also questioned whether Why is China making such a huge diplomatic push to bring peace in Ukraine now?
“China has ample opportunities to show leadership. China was initially invited to participate in ending this war…if the goal is to show a real world leadership image, you don’t have to sit on the fence for a year to try and do some diplomatic lobbying.” Korolev said.
Goal number 3 and can be seen from Mr. Wang’s schedule.
visits to France, Germany, Italy and Hungary, which China views as leaders of these nations not very aggressive towards Russia Mr. Wang might be looking at the trend. Will China be able to convince some of Europe to be in China’s orbit?
Zhang Xin, an expert in international political economy East China Normal University (East China Normal University) said the Chinese government sees “reasonably converging interests” with these countries The expert said, “China believes that the United States is dominant. And most people on the other side of the Atlantic might benefit from getting out of that system.”
But it’s still not certain. Will China succeed in that goal? Wang’s speech at the Munich Security Conference in which he criticized the United States. It didn’t work so well in a room full of strong U.S. allies. and many diplomats said Mr. Wang’s criticism This has also raised doubts about China’s true motives.
Wang’s multi-country visit “It’s a very blatant attempt to say that ‘We don’t have any problems with Europe. We have a problem with the US. We can fix things with you Europeans and you need to understand that the US is leading you down a troublesome path,’” said Andrew Small, senior researcher specializing in Europe-China relations. that the German Marshall Fund said
“But I think mostly in Europe. Messages like this are not very attractive.”
image source, EPA
Russian President Vladimir Putin warmly welcomed Wang Yi in Moscow.
The key question now is The Chinese government will do as they say. Will make peace or not As China strengthens relations with Russia
The United States warned this week that China is considering handing over deadly weapons to Russia, and says its companies already provide Ukraine with non-lethal and civilian-military technologies such as drones and semiconductors.
China has responded with strong and open statements of dissatisfaction. but in discussion Wang made clear to European official Joseph Borrell that China will not hand over lethal weapons to Russia.
Mr Borrell said Mr Wang also asked if “Why do you express concern that I might as well give weapons to Russia. since you hand over arms to Ukraine,” observers said. This is the statement that The Chinese government truly believes that The West should be blamed for fueling this war.
“Delivering arms to any warring party considered to be an increase That is the position of the Chinese authorities up until now,” Dr. Zhang said.
It is suspected that Will the Chinese government really send weapons to the Russian government? Because doing so does not benefit China’s interests.
Others would look at it like this: It clearly escalates the war. And will lead to sanctions and trade barriers with Western nations. This will have serious consequences for China, as the United States and the European Union are among China’s largest trading partners.
It would also cause great global tensions. And should make the nation’s allies of the United States. Turning more toward the United States, thwarting the Chinese government’s goal of seeking support from these nations. As China increasingly defied the United States
Many observers said that What is more likely to happen is The Chinese government will continue to support indirectly. or add more support to this Like promoting trade that helps save money for the Russian government. and abstaining from voting in support of sanctions against Russia.
Dr Small said China might send more military and civilian technology through third countries like Iran or North Korea. so that China can support “that China rejects as much as it can”
But he warned that If the war continues The issue of lethal weapons will once again become an issue.
“There is no question yet. What kind of important things might China be asked to help? because before “Russia doesn’t have to ask for help to send things,” Dr. Small said. China can confidently tell Russia that will not help Russia for how long?”
A few days before the war in Ukraine Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have declared that they have “unlimited friendship”.
