Global Courant 2023-04-26 19:05:07
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Author of the article:
The associated press
Joe McDonald
Published April 26, 2023 • read for 3 minutes
FILE – Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives to attend the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC Summit, November 19, 2022, in Bangkok, Thailand. Chinese leader Xi spoke by phone to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, calling for negotiations in Russia’s war against his country. conversation after Beijing said it wanted to act as a peace broker. Photo by Jack Taylor /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping said Wednesday Beijing will send an envoy to Ukraine to discuss a possible “political settlement” for Russia’s war with the country.
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Beijing has previously avoided involvement in conflicts between other countries, but appears to be trying to assert itself as a global diplomatic power after settling talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March that led to them restoring diplomatic relations after a lull of seven years.
Xi told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a phone call that a Chinese envoy would visit Ukraine and “other countries” to discuss a possible political settlement, according to a government statement reported on state television.
It made no mention of Russia or last year’s invasion of Ukraine. It also gave no indication whether the Chinese envoy would visit Moscow.
Xi-Zelenskyy’s call was much awaited after Beijing said it wanted to be a mediator in the war.
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WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
China is the only major government to enjoy friendly relations with Moscow as well as economic clout as the largest buyer of Russian oil and gas after the United States and its allies cut off most purchases.
Beijing, which sees Moscow as a diplomatic partner in countering US domination of global affairs, has refused to criticize the invasion and used its status as one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council to fend off diplomatic attacks on Russia .
Zelensky previously said he was happy with a Chinese offer to mediate.
WHY DID CHINA DO THIS?
Xi’s government has pursued a greater role in global diplomacy as part of a campaign to restore China to what the ruling Communist Party sees as its rightful status as a political and economic leader and to build an international order that interests of Beijing.
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That is a sharp reversal after decades of avoiding involvement in other countries’ conflicts and most international affairs, while focusing on economic development at home.
In March, Saudi Arabia and Iran surprisingly announced, after talks in Beijing, that they would reopen embassies in each other’s capitals after a seven-year hiatus. China has good relations with both as a major oil buyer.
Last week, Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts that his country is ready to help facilitate peace talks.
Wednesday’s statement warned of the dangers of nuclear war, suggesting that Beijing may also be motivated by what it sees as the growing danger of a more destructive conflict.
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Mediation between Ukraine and Russia would increase China’s presence in Eastern Europe, where Beijing has been trying to build ties with other governments. That has led to complaints from some European officials that China is trying to gain power over the European Union.
WHAT ARE CHINA’S RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA?
China is the closest thing to President Vladimir Putin’s isolated government with a key ally.
Xi and Putin issued a joint statement ahead of the February 2022 invasion, saying their governments had a “friendship without borders”.
Beijing has tried to appear neutral, but repeated Russian justifications for the invasion.
Xi received a warm welcome from Putin during a visit to Moscow in March. China’s defense minister visited Russia this month.
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China has ramped up purchases of Russian oil and gas for its energy-hungry economy, making up for lost revenues due to Western sanctions. In return, China will receive lower prices, although details have not been disclosed.
WHAT ARE CHINA’S RELATIONSHIPS WITH UKRAINE?
China was Ukraine’s largest trading partner before the invasion, albeit on a smaller scale than Sino-Russian trade.
In 2021, Ukraine announced plans for Chinese companies to build trade-related infrastructure.
Zelensky’s government was more ambivalent towards Beijing after it became clear that Xi would not try to stop Putin’s war, but the two sides have remained amicable.
Qin, the foreign minister, pledged this month that China would not supply arms to either side, a commitment that benefits Ukraine, which has received tanks, missiles and other armaments from the US and European governments.
The Chinese ambassador to France caused a stir in Europe when he suggested that former Soviet republics – a group to which Ukraine belongs – might not be sovereign nations. That was in line with Putin’s remarks denying Ukrainian sovereignty.
Beijing then assured the former Soviet states that it respected their sovereignty and said the ambassador’s comments were personal opinion, not official policy.
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