It’s been almost a year since Russia sent its army to invade Ukraine. And today new questions have begun to arise about China’s position on military assistance to Moscow. after the leaders of the two countries announced their partnership “Without limits” shortly before this war started.
During an interview broadcast Sunday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said US intelligence agencies believed China was considering sending arms and ammunition assistance to Russia. which if it actually happened The US secretary of state said it would be a “serious problem”.
China Russia Energy Ties
and on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin It accused the United States of “setting up fire and staging a confrontation” by supplying defensive weapons to Ukraine, and said Beijing would “(U.S.) finger pointing or even coercion and pressure on China-Russia relations is absolutely not tolerated.”
How does China support Russia?
China has been cautiously tackling the Ukraine war over Russia’s aggression, with Beijing providing diplomatic support to Moscow in the past by avoiding condemnation of Russia’s actions. Calling it an “aggression”, it is in line with what the Kremlin is trying to emphasize as a “Military special operations” aimed at protecting Russia’s own security.
And while China has always tried to call for peace. President Xi Jinping has always stood by President Vladimir Putin, rejecting Western pressure to isolate Russia.
Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov ahead of scheduled naval exercises with South African and Chinese navies in Richards Bay
Although there is no evidence that China has sent arms or military assistance to Russia. Both armies have participated in some military maneuvers. Since the war in Ukraine by last time Both countries recently sent warships to participate in maneuvers with the South African Navy.
China has also stepped up its trade with Russia. Energy imports, in particular, have given Moscow enough income to support its economy, which has been hit by Western sanctions.
Costs China must pay to support Russia
analysts said The support of Russia by China has hurt the good feelings that the West has for China. It also made Beijing’s efforts to make Europe and the United States The split did not happen as expected.
Meanwhile, a diplomatic source said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put China in a precarious position and has to stand up and defend itself. Because President Putin did not warn President Xi before the invasion of Ukraine was undertaken during the two meetings in Beijing. Before the Winter Olympics last year
Moreover This war made China uncomfortable. Because one of China’s foreign policies is respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries
What does China get from this?
analysts said This war made Russia more dependent on China. and making Moscow a secondary partner to China while bolstering China’s leadership position in the emerging economies against US global leadership. after that world war even stronger
Alexander Kabuev, senior scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, commented: “China is aiming for self-interest … End … Weak Russia. Probably better Russia in terms of their interests (China).”
Russia Energy Revenue
Data from Refinitiv, an American-British company. According to a data analysis of financial markets and infrastructure, China has been importing Russian crude for a significant amount below global reference prices. As a result, the average daily import value increased by about 45% from the post-war period until the end of December.
And because China is concerned about the expansion of US security policies. to the South China Sea area already The coming out denies increasing the number of NATO members to the region that Russia sees as a “democracy”. Their “back garden” is also a gesture against any US activity in the region around China.
alliance “No limits” is it really there?
China has been trying to avoid delivering aid, including weapons. to Russia so that they will not face international sanctions But he expressed his displeasure at US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s warning that Beijing should not send arms to Russia.
Beijing has also tried to use rhetoric aimed at creating a distance between itself and Moscow. in order not to damage the relationship between himself and the Western nation until it was difficult to restore But he used his influence over Moscow to demand that President Putin It’s not a nuclear weapon either.
Has China’s stance on the Ukrainian war changed?
China has come out to play a more active role in the public arena. After months of support for peace talks without taking any serious action
on this friday Chinese President Xi is expected to speak “Peace Speech” on the 1st Anniversary of the Ukrainian War And the Chinese government is likely to publish a report on its position on the Ukrainian-Russian conflict.
China’s Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi shakes hands with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto in Budapest, Hungary, February 20, 2023. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
Yun Sen, a senior scholar at the Stimson Center in Washington, said: “With Russia’s failures on the battlefield, Opportunities for negotiations have already begun to mature. in China’s eyes,” and said, “Diplomatic diplomacy by (President Xi Jinping’s foreign policy adviser) Wang Yi and (President) Xi’s speech. about it pointing in that direction.”
In the case of Wang, Yun Sen referred to a high-ranking Chinese diplomat visiting Moscow this week. After meeting with the Minister Blinken and other Western government officials on ongoing international visits to Europe.
Did the Ukrainian war affect China’s intentions towards Taiwan?
Beijing has always denied a link between the war in Ukraine and its willingness to “reunify” with Taiwan, which it claims to be part of China.
On this Tuesday Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang urged “some countries” to “stop creating the ‘today’s Ukraine, tomorrow’s Taiwan’ hype,” which many view as “the world’s worst.” It’s sending a message to the United States.
But many experts say China is likely weighing the whole issue of Russia’s defeat in Ukraine. and voices from other countries, in conjunction with their plans against Taiwan. which Beijing had come out to pledge that will be able to seize it even if it requires force if necessary to do so
Yun Sen, a senior scholar at the Stimson Center, said: “The outcomes and costs of war show China that It might not be wise to invade Taiwan.” (China) will refrain from doing so. If Taiwan was born to declare independence. But the chances of that happening are much less.”
- Source: Archyde.com and AP