Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning attends a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing on January 15, 2024.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | beautiful images
China has rejected accusations by Ukraine’s President that Beijing is pressuring other countries not to attend the upcoming Ukraine peace summit, while the Foreign Ministry stated that Beijing’s stance on the issue This issue is still “fair and just”.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskky made the accusations during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Sunday, claiming that Russia was using Beijing’s influence in Asia to disrupt peace talks in June.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning denied those accusations on Monday, saying “hegemonism and power politics are not China’s diplomatic style.”
“There is no question of China putting pressure on other countries,” she said, adding that Beijing’s position in the negotiations is “open and transparent.”
The peace talks, scheduled to take place in Switzerland on June 15-16, will focus on Russia’s more than two-year invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022.
According to Zelenskyy, The summit will cover topics including Ukraine’s peace plan, nuclear security, food security and the return of Ukrainian children kidnapped from Russia. The Ukrainian leader said more than a hundred countries and international organizations will attend.
China has repeatedly called for ceasefire and dialogue concerned about the war in Ukraine and said it would help facilitate peace negotiations.
However, Mao reiterated that Beijing would probably skip the negotiations with Switzerland because they did not meet three important conditions: recognition from Russia and Ukraine, equal participation of all parties , as well as fair negotiations on all peace plans.
“The meeting does not appear to have met these three elements, and that is exactly why China cannot participate in the meeting,” she added.
Mao said China was in close communication with Ukraine and Switzerland, stressing that Beijing had “attached great importance” to the summit from the beginning.
Zelenskyy’s accusations of Chinese interference came as he discussed China’s role in the war. He went even further, calling China a “tool” of Russia and President Vladimir Putin, according to a translation of his remarks.
Beijing is seen as a growing ally of Moscow, with both countries touts an “unlimited” friendship since February 2022 as they seek to counter America’s global influence.
Putin just met Chinese President Xi Jinpingagreed to further increase trade in the face of Western pressure and sanctions aimed at curbing accusations the country supported Russia’s war efforts.
On Sunday, Mr. Zelenskyy warned that China’s continued support of Russia risks prolonging the war and will have further negative consequences for the world.
He also called on Asian leaders to commit to attending the peace summit in Switzerland and Asia to support an end to the conflict.
Zelenskyy pointed out that Ukraine has never requested military assistance from Asian countries but emphasized that his country still needs political and humanitarian support.
While many Asian countries have called for an end to hostilities in Ukraine, the region’s stance on the war remains mixed, with countries such as China, India and Pakistan failing to condemn Russia’s invasion.
