[Epoch Times, May 5, 2022](The Epoch Times reporters Lin Cenxin and Luo Ya interviewed and reported) Europe and the United States continue to increase sanctions on Russia, and the CCP’s official media has recently reported more positive reports on the Ukrainian presidentZelensky. Analysts believe that as the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is approaching, Beijing executives are worried that if they are sanctioned for supporting Russia, the current Chinese economy may collapse, so they have made fine adjustments under pressure.
Europe and the United States increase sanctions on Russia, CCP official mediaZelenskychange intonation
On Wednesday (May 4), the European Commission proposed a draft sixth round of sanctions against Russia, including phasing out Russian oil imports within six months and removing Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, from the SWIFT system. Eliminate etc. U.S. President Joe Biden has also indicated that he is open to additional sanctions against Russia.
On May 5, many reports by the CCP’s official media, including CCTV, Global Network, and China Business Daily, mostly reported Zelensky’s speech positively.Examples: Zelensky’s phone call with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Switzerland prepares for Zelensky’s possible July attendance at Ukraine reform conference, and Zelensky’s remarks:PutinMeetings are needed to achieve a real ceasefire, the evacuation of 344 people from the city and its suburbs of Mariupol, the ultimate goal of “restoring territorial integrity”, etc.
The outside world has also paid attention to the fact that on April 30, in a written interview with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba published by the official Xinhua News Agency, Kuleba mentioned the word “invasion” four times.
On May 3, the digital newspaper of Xinhua News Agency forwarded the Spanish media “El Pais” report “How does Zelensky govern the country in the bunker?” The article describes how the Ukrainian president has dealt with the media, followed the war and chaired meetings in an underground bunker since Russia “invaded” Ukraine.
The Chinese state media reports are markedly different from recent attempts to portray Zelensky as a clown, comedian, and his propaganda system without ever using the word “invasion.”
Analysis: Fine-tuning around the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China to maintain a two-faced strategy
Feng Chongyi, an associate professor at the University of Technology Sydney, told The Epoch Times that the outside world only focused on the interview with the Ukrainian foreign minister, but Xinhua also published an interview with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov on the same day, “So from this point Speaking of which, it (the CCP) steps on two boats with one foot, and the grand strategy of this two-faced approach has not changed.”
Feng Chongyi said that the CCP wants to make some small moves in the near future, for example, Europe and the United States have been forcing it to make concessions on its position that Russia is “aggression”, but it will not give up on Russia’s support. “It may make some fine-tuning in its posture, But not all, substantive changes are equivalent to playing two-faced, acting on both sides, secretly supporting Russia, and not daring to stand in public.”
Feng Chongyi analyzed that recently, around the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the internal discussions of the CCP have been quite intense, especially the deterioration of China’s economic situation.Xi JinpingIt is not good for the 20th National Congress to be re-elected, so some adjustments and emergency measures must be made.
Russia expresses dissatisfaction with China’s aid not as expected
Sun Guoxiang, an associate professor at the Department of International Affairs and Business at Nanhua University in Taiwan, told The Epoch Times that the CCP will not give up its support for Russia under the framework of the U.S.-China strategic competition. .
President of RussiaPutinIn an exclusive interview with the Russian Satellite News Agency, Boris Titov, an economic adviser, said that the economic cooperation between China and Russia is not as good as expected. Under the current circumstances, Russia should not rely solely on China for import substitution options.
Several U.S. officials told Archyde.com that the U.S. remains wary of China’s long-term support for Russia, but the military and economic assistance they fear has not happened, at least so far.
Sun Guoxiang believes that Russia initially hoped that the CCP could provide military assistance, but now it seems less likely.As for economic aid, the continuation of Putin andXi Jinping15 cooperation agreements reached in February, followed by the signing of a 10-year agreement to supply 100 million tons of oil to China through Kazakhstan.
“As far as the current urgent situation is concerned, the CCP has made long-term commitments, and it is too late to save Russia’s current economy and the near fire under the pressure of international sanctions. Therefore, Russia has shown its complaints against the CCP through some different channels.” Sun Guoxiang Say.
Analysis of Russia-Vietnam joint military exercise: a problem for Beijing
Feng Chongyi believes that Putin’s dare to invade Ukraine at the beginning of the war was related to the promise of the Beijing authorities before the war that “cooperation will not be capped.” The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is guaranteed to be re-elected, so there is a contradictory approach that does not match the foreword.
On April 19, Russian media reported that Russia and Vietnam will hold a joint military exercise called Land Alliance-2022. outside doubts,Russian-Ukrainian WarIt is not over yet, what is the motivation of Russia and Vietnam to engage in joint military exercises?
Li Zhengxiu, an associate researcher at the Taiwan National Policy Research Foundation, told The Epoch Times that Russia is worried about being too dependent on mainland China after being sanctioned by Western countries, so it hopes to have a say in Asian affairs. “Traditionally, Sino-Vietnamese relations have never been peaceful. At most, it can only be said that it is ‘respectful to each other’, so Moscow is taking the opportunity to win over Vietnam and create problems for Beijing.”
Li Zhengxiu analyzed that it is not an exaggeration to say that the Russian-Vietnamese military exercise is Russia’s attempt to avoid sanctions from the United States and Europe through the Asia-Pacific region.Furthermore, sinceRussian-Ukrainian WarSince the start of the war, Russia’s crude oil and natural gas exports to Europe have fallen sharply, so Moscow has turned its attention to Asia to slow the impact on the domestic economy. In addition, Vietnam and Russia have always had close relations, and it cannot rule out the intention of using Russia to contain the CCP.
Responsible editor: Lin Congwen#