China is “very worried” about the conflict in Ukraine, calls to “promote dialogue”.

On Tuesday, February 21, China called for “promote dialogueThinking in Ukrainevery worriedabout the conflict whichescalates and even gets out of control“.

This war is a sensitive issue for Beijing, which has had strong diplomatic and economic ties with Moscow for several years, bolstered by a common interest in counterbalancing Washington. Officially neutral China has called for respect for the sovereignty of states, including Ukraine, while urging the international community to pay attention to Moscow’s security concerns.

“Put fuel on the fire”.

Days before the first anniversary of the Russian invasion on February 24, Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised concerns that China was considering supplying Russia with weapons, claims Beijing has denied. “It has been almost a year since the Ukrainian crisis has seen a general escalationChinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang expressed regret this Tuesday at a conference in Beijing. “China is very concerned about this conflict, which is escalating and even getting out of control.– he emphasized in front of dozens of foreign ambassadors and diplomats.

Beijing is also suspicious of the supply of arms to Ukraine. “We call on the relevant countries to stop adding fuel to the fire and stop blaming China as soon as possible.“said Qin Gang, specifically referring to the calls of the West to Beijing to put pressure on Moscow. “We will continue to promote peace talks (…) and work with the international community to promote dialogue and consultation, address the concerns of all parties, and seek common security.“.

“Today Ukraine, tomorrow Taiwan”.

Qing Gang also rejected any parallels between Ukraine and Taiwan, an island that the People’s Republic of China intends to annex to the rest of its territory after the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949.stop the noise shouting “Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow”“said the minister, responding to concerns about a possible Chinese military invasion of the territory of the island with 23 million inhabitants.

“External pressures and attempts to contain China are increasing“and”pose a serious threat to China’s sovereignty and securitysaid Qin Gang. “China has always been on the path of peaceful development. It has never initiated conflict or war, nor invaded an inch of land from another country.»

Europe’s “red line”.

On Ukraine, Beijing said last week it wanted to soon publish a proposal to find “political solution“during the war. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected in Russia on Tuesday, the last leg of a European tour that has already taken him to France, Italy, Hungary and Germany. On Monday, the Kremlin announced that Wang Yi could meet President Vladimir Putin during his visit, the Russian Tass agency reports.

Western pressure is mounting on China, which has never publicly supported or criticized Russia’s attack, while repeatedly expressing its support for Moscow in the face of Western sanctions. “Providing lethal support to Russia in its war of aggression in Ukraine will have real consequences for our relationship with China.Antony Blinken emphasized.

The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, believes that the possible supply of weapons by China to Russia will be “Red lineFor the European Union. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin denied the US accusations on Monday, accusing Washington.spreading false information“. “It is the US, not China, that is constantly sending weapons to the battlefield“, he added.