As Russia stepped up its navy offensive in Ukraine, China on Tuesday stated that Moscow’s “legitimate security demands” must be taken significantly and correctly addressed for a political settlement to resolve the Ukrainian disaster.
Refusing to criticise Russia’s navy motion, which has entered a decisive section with hundreds of Russian troops massed on the outskirts of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin referred to as for a “political settlement that accommodates both sides’ legitimate security concerns, achieves common security in Europe and promotes Europe’s lasting peace and stability”.
Asked to elaborate, Wang stated: “China believes that the security of one country should not come at the expense of the security of other countries, still less should regional security be guaranteed by strengthening or even expanding military blocs”. Wang stated the Cold War mentality ought to be discarded fully.
“The Cold War mentality should be discarded completely. The legitimate security concerns of all countries should be respected. Given NATO’s five consecutive rounds of eastward expansion, Russia’s legitimate security demands ought to be taken seriously and properly addressed,” he stated.
On the mounting casualties in Ukraine because of Russia’s offensive, Wang stated that the Ukraine problem has complicated historic context and lifelike elements.
“The Chinese side regrets the casualties. The current situation is not what we want to see. The top priority is for all parties to exercise necessary restraint to prevent the situation on the ground in Ukraine from deteriorating or even spiralling out of control,” he stated.
“The life and property safety of civilians should be effectively guaranteed, and in particular, large-scale humanitarian crises should be averted,” Wang added.
To a query that casualties are mounting and over half one million folks fled Ukraine and China is but to name the Russian offensive an “invasion”, Wang stated: “We have no selfish interests on the Ukraine issue. China always decides its position based on the merits of the Ukraine issue itself”.
On the US and EU sanctions in opposition to Russia, Wang reiterated that sanctions should not an efficient resolution to resolve issues.
“It is China’s consistent position that we oppose all illegal unilateral sanctions. China and Russia will continue to carry out normal trade cooperation following the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit,” he stated.
Meanwhile, China on Tuesday began emergency evacuation of its over 6,000 college students from Ukraine.
“At present, Chinese citizens in Ukraine are heading to neighbouring countries of Ukraine in various ways”, Wang stated.
About 1,000 Chinese residents in Ukraine have by far safely relocated, he stated.
Chinese embassies in Ukraine’s neighbouring international locations together with Moldova, Slovakia, Romania and Poland have discovered methods to evacuate Chinese compatriots in Ukraine, he stated.
