2023-04-27 00:55:53
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday that Beijing will send an envoy to Ukraine to discuss a possible “political deal” to the war against Russia.
The Chinese government has previously avoided involvement in conflicts between other countries, but appears to be trying to establish itself as a global diplomatic force after orchestrating talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March, which led to the resumption of their bilateral ties after a seven-year break. years.
Xi told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a phone call that a Chinese envoy — a former Chinese ambassador to Russia — would visit Ukraine and “other countries” to discuss a possible political deal, according to a government statement.
He did not mention Russia or the invasion of Ukraine that began last year, nor did he indicate whether the Chinese envoy might visit Moscow.
The phone call between Xi and Zelenskyy has been long anticipated after Beijing indicated it wanted to mediate the war.
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WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
China is the only world power that has friendly relations with Moscow, as well as an economic weight, as it is the biggest buyer of Russian oil and gas after the United States and its allies suspended most of those purchases.
Beijing, which views Moscow as a diplomatic partner in its opposition to US domination of world affairs, has refused to criticize the invasion, using its status as one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to divert diplomatic attacks directed at Russia.
Earlier, Zelenskyy said he welcomed the Chinese offer to mediate in the conflict.
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WHY DID CHINA DO THIS?
Xi’s government has sought to play a greater role in global diplomacy as part of a campaign to restore to China what the ruling Communist Party considers to be its rightful status as political and economic leader, and to develop a pro-protestant international order. Beijing interests.
That is a radical reversal after decades of avoiding involvement in other countries’ conflicts and most international affairs in favor of domestic economic development.
In March, Saudi Arabia and Iran made a surprise announcement, following talks in Beijing, that they would reopen their embassies in the two countries’ capitals after a seven-year hiatus. China has good relations with both, from which it buys large amounts of oil.
Last week, Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts that his country stands ready to help facilitate peace talks.
In its statement on Wednesday, the Chinese government warned of the dangers of nuclear war, hinting that Beijing may also be motivated by what it sees as the growing danger of the war in Ukraine escalating into a more destructive conflict.
Mediating between Ukraine and Russia would increase China’s presence in eastern Europe, where Beijing has sought to forge ties with other governments. That has prompted complaints from some European officials that the Chinese government is trying to gain advantage over the European Union.
Kimberly Marten, a professor of political science at Barnard College of Columbia University in New York, doubts that China will succeed in the conciliatory role.
“I find it hard to believe that China can act as a pacifist,” he said, noting that Beijing has been “too close to Russia”.
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HOW ARE CHINA’S RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA LIKE?
China is the closest thing to a major ally for the reclusive government of President Vladimir Putin.
Xi and Putin issued a joint communiqué ahead of the February 2022 invasion, noting their governments had “boundless friendship.”
Beijing has tried to appear neutral, but has repeated Russian justifications for the invasion.
Xi received a warm welcome from Putin during a visit to Moscow in March. The Chinese defense minister traveled to Russia this month.
China has increased purchases of Russian oil and gas for its energy-intensive economy, helping offset revenue lost as a result of Western sanctions. In return, Beijing gets better prices, although no details have been released.
Marten said the call between Xi and Zelenskyy was “sort of a slap in the face to Russia, because Russia has been very willing to present China as an ally.” He noted that the direct contact between Beijing and kyiv “indicates that China is taking at least one step away from Russia.”
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HOW ARE CHINA’S RELATIONS WITH UKRAINE LIKE?
China was Ukraine’s largest trading partner before the invasion, albeit on a smaller scale than the trade between the Chinese and the Russians.
In 2021, Ukraine announced plans for Chinese companies to build trade-related infrastructure.
Zelenskyy’s government became more ambivalent about Beijing after it became clear Xi would not try to stop Putin’s war offensive, but the two sides have remained on friendly terms.
“Before the full-scale Russian invasion, China was Ukraine’s main trading partner. I believe that our conversation today will give a powerful impetus to the return, preservation and development of this dynamic at all levels,” according to an official Ukrainian reading of the call.
Foreign Minister Qin vowed this month that China would not provide weapons to either side, a commitment that benefits Ukraine, which has received tanks, rockets and other weapons from the United States and European governments.
The Chinese ambassador to France sparked an uproar in Europe when he suggested that former Soviet republics, including Ukraine, might not be sovereign nations, a line in line with Putin’s comments denying Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Beijing then assured the states that were part of the Soviet Union that it respects their sovereignty, noting that the ambassador’s comments are his personal opinion, but do not represent official policy.
Elizabeth Wishnik, of the CNA US Research Center and the Weatherhead Institute of East Asia, said in an email: “I wonder if Xi’s call was staged quickly to divert attention” from the uproar over the Chinese ambassador’s remarks.
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Andrew Katell in New York contributed to this report.
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