Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. Figure: Photo taken by China Central Radio Network (file photo)
Russia’s foray into Ukraine has pushed Ukraine-Russia tensions to the brink of war. Many European and American countries have imposed sanctions on Russia. The media asked whether China, which has been frantically boycotting and blocking Lithuanian and Australian products, would follow up. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said today (23) that sanctions have never been an effective way to solve the problem. Consistently oppose any unlawful unilateral sanctions. She also pointed the finger at the United States, criticizing the United States for continuously sending weapons to Ukraine, raising tensions, creating panic, and even playing up war.
On the 21st, Russia recognized the two separate areas in eastern Ukraine, the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic, and sent troops to eastern Ukraine in the name of “peacekeeping”; it announced on the 22nd. Establish diplomatic relations with these two independent republics. Many European and American countries have accused Russia of aggression against Ukraine and successively announced sanctions against Russia.
According to The Paper, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a regular press conference on the afternoon of the 23rd. In answering questions from the media, Hua Chunying emphasized that the Chinese government’s position is that sanctions are never an effective way to solve problems, and China always opposes any illegal unilateral sanctions. According to data from the U.S. Treasury Department, in the past 20 years, the number of sanctions imposed by the United States has increased 10 times compared to the previous period. The number of sanctions imposed by the United States during the last term of the President was as high as more than 3,800, and the sanctions were wielded three times a day on average.
Hua Chunying claimed that the unilateral and illegal sanctions imposed by the United States and other countries have caused serious difficulties to the economy and people’s livelihood of the relevant countries. On the Ukraine issue, the United States has been sending weapons to Ukraine, raising tensions, creating panic, and even exaggerating war. China has always called on all parties to respect and attach importance to each other’s legitimate security concerns, strive to resolve issues through negotiation and consultation, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability.
In addition, in response to questions from foreign media, China’s position on the Ukraine issue contradicts China’s consistent principle of respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Hua Chunying reiterated that China’s position on the Ukraine issue has always been consistent, and China’s relevant remarks are in line with China’s consistent position of promoting dialogue and consultation to resolve regional hotspot issues. She also warned that the United States must not harm the legitimate rights and interests of China and other parties when handling the Ukraine issue and its relations with Russia.