According to China’s Foreign Minister, China won’t provide “weapons to either side in the war in Ukraine.” He responded to the concern from the west that China could provide “military assistance to Russia.”
China has defended its neutrality in the crisis while supporting Russia economically, diplomatically, and politically at a time when Western countries have imposed harsh sanctions and pushed to isolate Moscow for its military occupation of its neighbour.
Qin Gang is the most senior Chinese official to expressly address Russian arms sales. The export of goods with dual civilian and military uses would also be subject to Chinese regulation, he continued.
China’s commitment to assist in settling the crisis peacefully was again reaffirmed by the minister.
Mr. Qin also attributed the escalating regional unrest in the region to Taiwan’s government after Beijing conducted extensive military exercises in an effort to scare the island it claims as its own.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated in February that the United States had information indicating China was considering giving Russia weaponry and ammunition, and he cautioned that such participation in the Kremlin’s war campaign would be a “serious concern.”
European leaders also show their disagreement with China’s involvement with Russia. The EU’s foreign policy chief verbally attacked China and said its support of Russia during the time of war was a breach of its “United Nations commitments.”
A visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Russia shows the bonding between both countries and shows a relationship where China is providing economic and political cover for Russia.
Mr. Qin presented well-worn explanations of Chinese policies on Taiwan and the Ukraine that highlight Beijing’s resistance to Western, especially American, criticism. Under the fervently nationalist Xi, China’s rhetoric has been more incisive, especially when it comes to the subject of Taiwan, which broke away from the mainland in 1949 due to civil conflict.
After China stationed warships and fighter jets close to Taiwan this weekend in retribution for a meeting between U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the island’s President, Tsai Ing-wen, tensions on the island dramatically increased.
Mr. Qin claimed that Taiwan’s administration and its foreign backers—a subtly veiled allusion to its main ally, the United States—were pursuing independence from China and that this was the cause of the tensions. China insists that an independent Taiwan submit to its sovereignty, either diplomatically or forcibly.
An international catastrophe, according to Ms. Baerbock, would result from a fight in the Taiwan Strait, which is home to much of the world’s trade.
Mr. Qin appeared to dismiss Ms. Baerbock’s worries, stating that “Taiwan is a domestic matter for China, and stability and independence for Taiwan cannot cohabit.”
