China, a close Russian ally, on Friday called for a ceasefire to end the Ukraine war and open peace talks, even as it expressed its strong opposition to the use of nuclear and biological weapons, it struck a subtle stance of respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and Moscow’s legitimate security concerns.
China, which along with India abstained from a vote on Thursday on the UN General Assembly resolution underscoring the need to reach a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, issued a 12-point position paper here outlining its stand on the Ukraine war amid its efforts to continue to maintain close ties with Moscow.
The paper was released shortly after the visit of top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi’s visit to Moscow on February 22, during which he met Russian President Vladimir Putin, reaffirming that the “China-Russia relationship has stood the test of the drastic changes in the world landscape and become mature and tenacious, standing as firm as Mount Tai,” a sacred mountain in China.
Beijing has so far not condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and continues to maintain close political, trade, and military ties with Moscow. Key points of China’s stance in its position paper were calls for global support for a ceasing of hostilities, and the resumption of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine to end the war, citing Ukraine’s sovereignty and Moscow’s legitimate security concerns. Respect for and Beijing’s opposition to the threat or use of nuclear and biological weapons.
“Stopping Hostilities. No one benefits from conflict and war. All sides should remain rational and exercise restraint, avoid fanning the flames and escalating tensions, and prevent the crisis from worsening or even spiraling out of control,” said the paper released by the Ministry of External Affairs. It called for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine “as soon as possible.” The 12-point document is part of Beijing’s latest efforts to present itself as a neutral peace broker, as it struggles to balance its boundless friendship with Moscow and fractious ties with the West in the form of war.
Without directly mentioning Ukraine, it called for effectively upholding the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all countries, but reiterated that in an apparent reference to Russia’s concerns over the US and NATO’s growing political and military The security of all countries must be respected. Influence on Ukraine is threatening its security. “The sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all countries must be effectively upheld,” it said.
Also, “the security of one country should not be at the cost of others. The security of a region should not be achieved by strengthening or expanding military blocs,” China’s paper said. Significantly, China has categorically opposed the use of nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war. Putin’s repeated references to Russia’s nuclear arsenal in his speeches were seen as a threat by the US and NATO in the Ukraine War.
“Nuclear weapons should not be used, and nuclear war should not be fought. The threat or use of nuclear weapons should be opposed,” the Chinese newspaper continued. China was among the 32 countries that abstained from the UNGA’s emergency special session on Ukraine, with its envoy, Dai Bing, saying that facilitating a ceasefire is a top priority and the door to a political solution cannot be closed.