While vague in its overall language, the sequence of what the Chinese position reveals is important, says Stefan Wolff.
has now been officially released by the country’s foreign ministry, after being foreshadowed by China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, at the recent Munich Security Conference.China’s “balanced position”
While vague in its overall language, the sequence of what the Chinese position reveals is important. The plan starts by restating one of China’s red lines, its long-held position on the sacrosanct nature of sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is very much in line with the prevailing position of the overwhelming majority of United Nations members.
More worryingly, for Ukraine, its Western partners, and the future European security order, is that China has adopted a position that is sympathetic to Russia’s narrative of North Atlantic Treaty Organization expansion as a threat to Russia. It’s a position unlikely to be welcomed either by Ukraine or its Western partners, who have insisted to date thatInterestingly, however, China has also acknowledged that “conditions and platforms for the resumption of negotiations” have yet to be created. Beijing has offered “to play a constructive role in this regard”. This could potentially create an opening in the future should China decide to use itsand push Russian President Vladimir Putin into meaningful negotiations.
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