In an escalating exchange amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict, China issued a cautionary statement to unspecified parties on Thursday, urging them to refrain from making “irresponsible remarks.” This warning came on the heels of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s assertions that Beijing was aware of Chinese citizens being recruited by Russia to fight in the war.
Zelensky revealed on Wednesday that Ukrainian forces had details on 155 Chinese nationals allegedly deployed to assist Russia’s military efforts. His statement followed claims that Ukrainian troops had captured two Chinese soldiers in the eastern Donetsk region, a point that has further strained the already complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the conflict.
During a regular news briefing, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, responded to Zelensky’s comments. Although he did not mention Ukraine or Zelensky directly, Lin urged the “relevant parties” to “recognize China’s role correctly and clear-headedly.” This appeal reflects China’s official stance of neutrality in the protracted war, despite ongoing criticism from Western governments regarding Beijing’s close ties with Moscow, which they argue have given Russia substantial economic and diplomatic backing.
The Kremlin is also engaged in this rhetorical clash, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov firmly denying Zelensky’s claims that Russia was responsible for drawing China into the conflict. Peskov described Zelensky’s assertions as “wrong” and emphasized that China has consistently maintained a “balanced position” on the issue.
Lin reiterated China’s position, indicating that Beijing has always encouraged its nationals to avoid involvement in armed conflicts. “China is not a creator of or party to the Ukraine crisis,” he stated, emphasizing that China is a “staunch supporter and active promoter of a peaceful resolution.”
The verbal exchanges reflect the complexities of international relationships amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, with China attempting to navigate its ties to Russia while managing its public image and responsibilities to its citizens.
