Oslo: As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, China’s role has got a sharp relief.
Before the war, some commentators suggested that China would openly side with Russia or try to act as a mediator – until now. Beijing It seems to have resisted doing either.
As China’s ambassador to the US, Qin Gang, recently wrote in the Washington Post, Beijing has no advantage in this war, arguing that “the slack of sanctions on Chinese companies while soliciting China’s support and cooperation.” Running will not work”.
Ambassador Qin also stressed that Beijing had no prior knowledge of the conflict, rejected any attempt to profit from the crisis and called on all sides to engage in peace talks.
Ever since Russia started the war in Ukraine, China has declared a de facto policy of neutrality. So far, the Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, “is not a party to the crisis, nor does it want the sanctions to affect China”.
The decision to remain neutral reflects Beijing’s precarious position in the conflict.
China has previously sought greater alignment with the Putin regime, based on shared opposition to the US and the Western power, including in a joint statement earlier this year that called for “no limits” and “cooperation prohibited”. The partnership with the regions” was confirmed.
Since the invasion of Ukraine, Beijing has not explicitly condemned or condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine and has hesitated to refer to the crisis as a war.
Importantly, it opted to abstain from both, ending the UN Security Council resolution vote. Ukraine crisis And the United Nations General Assembly voted condemning Moscow’s actions. However, it has recently described its relations with Russia as “iron-covered”.
There are fears that China may use the cover of this crisis to suppress its territorial claims. Taiwan,
But widespread international condemnation of Ukraine’s invasion and a growing list of Russian military tactical failures make Beijing’s action against Taiwan less likely.
careful line running
However, China has also been very careful not to make enemies in Europe. Ukraine and most of the former Soviet Union’s trade routes are key components in China’s ongoing Belt-and-Road initiative to build large-scale international infrastructure.
In his Washington Post article, Ambassador Qin talks candidly about China’s trade history with Ukraine as well as Russia.
All these moves clearly indicate that China is trying to steer a complicated route between Russia and the West.
Of course, Beijing is also conscious of the reputational damage it will do to Moscow.
While many Chinese brands have not exited Russia, unlike their Western counterparts, the return of Chinese-owned TikTok was a sign that Beijing was also eyeing its international reputation.
Western sanctions and the volatility of the ruble mean that Chinese companies are unwilling to jump into the Russian market to replace departing Western companies. This is especially because any foreign aid to Russia will be increasingly noticed by the international community.
But if China is seen as helping Russia evade international sanctions, the Chinese leadership has also been critical of US threats to retaliate.
Rather than trying to get Beijing to act as a mediator in the conflict, Western powers are most concerned about China offering Russia an economic or military lifeline.
It would undermine the myriad sanctions and punitive measures the West has imposed against the Putin regime, effectively unplugging Russia from the global economy.
There have been worrying reports since both governments denied that discussions were underway on Sino-Russian military and military cooperation. The concern was the subject of talks between US and Chinese officials in Rome on March 14.
President Xi is not in the best position to face international outcry over Russia, given China’s slowing economy and the ongoing internal battle over rising Covid cases.
There is also a Chinese Communist Party Congress later this year when Xi is expected to be given a third term in office but will face questions about the country’s economic reforms and post-pandemic recovery.
While China’s economy is far stronger than Russia’s, the Xi government still hasn’t been able to afford a global boycott similar to that of Moscow. China’s ambitious economic expansion plans are based on a globalized economy.
It is now in Chinese interest to protect that economy from a volatile period from the pandemic, supply chain questions and a conflict that is already stirring up many markets around the world.
Source, (Conversation)
Before the war, some commentators suggested that China would openly side with Russia or try to act as a mediator – until now. Beijing It seems to have resisted doing either.
As China’s ambassador to the US, Qin Gang, recently wrote in the Washington Post, Beijing has no advantage in this war, arguing that “the slack of sanctions on Chinese companies while soliciting China’s support and cooperation.” Running will not work”.
Ambassador Qin also stressed that Beijing had no prior knowledge of the conflict, rejected any attempt to profit from the crisis and called on all sides to engage in peace talks.
Ever since Russia started the war in Ukraine, China has declared a de facto policy of neutrality. So far, the Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, “is not a party to the crisis, nor does it want the sanctions to affect China”.
The decision to remain neutral reflects Beijing’s precarious position in the conflict.
China has previously sought greater alignment with the Putin regime, based on shared opposition to the US and the Western power, including in a joint statement earlier this year that called for “no limits” and “cooperation prohibited”. The partnership with the regions” was confirmed.
Since the invasion of Ukraine, Beijing has not explicitly condemned or condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine and has hesitated to refer to the crisis as a war.
Importantly, it opted to abstain from both, ending the UN Security Council resolution vote. Ukraine crisis And the United Nations General Assembly voted condemning Moscow’s actions. However, it has recently described its relations with Russia as “iron-covered”.
There are fears that China may use the cover of this crisis to suppress its territorial claims. Taiwan,
But widespread international condemnation of Ukraine’s invasion and a growing list of Russian military tactical failures make Beijing’s action against Taiwan less likely.
careful line running
However, China has also been very careful not to make enemies in Europe. Ukraine and most of the former Soviet Union’s trade routes are key components in China’s ongoing Belt-and-Road initiative to build large-scale international infrastructure.
In his Washington Post article, Ambassador Qin talks candidly about China’s trade history with Ukraine as well as Russia.
All these moves clearly indicate that China is trying to steer a complicated route between Russia and the West.
Of course, Beijing is also conscious of the reputational damage it will do to Moscow.
While many Chinese brands have not exited Russia, unlike their Western counterparts, the return of Chinese-owned TikTok was a sign that Beijing was also eyeing its international reputation.
Western sanctions and the volatility of the ruble mean that Chinese companies are unwilling to jump into the Russian market to replace departing Western companies. This is especially because any foreign aid to Russia will be increasingly noticed by the international community.
But if China is seen as helping Russia evade international sanctions, the Chinese leadership has also been critical of US threats to retaliate.
Rather than trying to get Beijing to act as a mediator in the conflict, Western powers are most concerned about China offering Russia an economic or military lifeline.
It would undermine the myriad sanctions and punitive measures the West has imposed against the Putin regime, effectively unplugging Russia from the global economy.
There have been worrying reports since both governments denied that discussions were underway on Sino-Russian military and military cooperation. The concern was the subject of talks between US and Chinese officials in Rome on March 14.
President Xi is not in the best position to face international outcry over Russia, given China’s slowing economy and the ongoing internal battle over rising Covid cases.
There is also a Chinese Communist Party Congress later this year when Xi is expected to be given a third term in office but will face questions about the country’s economic reforms and post-pandemic recovery.
While China’s economy is far stronger than Russia’s, the Xi government still hasn’t been able to afford a global boycott similar to that of Moscow. China’s ambitious economic expansion plans are based on a globalized economy.
It is now in Chinese interest to protect that economy from a volatile period from the pandemic, supply chain questions and a conflict that is already stirring up many markets around the world.
Source, (Conversation)