IN FOCUS
By Avishka Ashok

Reducing China on Ukraine: Why does Beijing speak Russian?

On 3 February, the Chinese Foreign Ministry made a statement on the Russia-Ukraine tensions after the Foreign Ministers of both countries assessed the situation during the meeting in Beijing. The Chinese representative Wang Yi agreed with Russia’s security concerns, considering the threat posed by the US and NATO. The joint statement released by the two countries said: “The sides oppose further enlargement of NATO and call on the North Atlantic Alliance to abandon its ideologized cold war approaches, to respect the sovereignty, security and interests of other countries, the diversity of their civilizational, cultural and historical backgrounds, and to exercise a fair and objective attitude towards the peaceful development of other States.”

The Chinese representative in the United Nations Security Council referred to a “megaphone diplomacy” of the US and urged countries to resolve issues by engaging in a dialogue with the involved countries, Russia and Ukraine. He said: "The parties concerned should persist in seeking to resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiations. What is urgently needed now is quiet diplomacy, not megaphone diplomacy." The Policy Director at Brookings Institute observed that China’s actions in the past few weeks denote its goal to get back at the US and other Western countries by allying with Russia and presenting resistance to their soft power.

The Sino-Russian friendship
China’s intentions in Ukraine are not simply aimed at resisting the US and other hostile countries. The China- Russia friendship has evolved now compared to the frosty relationship they shared earlier.

The Ukraine issue has constantly pushed Russia and China towards each other. In 2014, during the Crimean crisis, there was a similar handshake; China refused to blame Russia for the tensions and instead accused the West of meddling needlessly. In 2022, China and Russia are backing each other in almost every international organization and have become each other’s strategic allies.

China agreed to invest over USD 400 billion in Gazprom when the US and other Western countries sanctioned it for its actions near the Ukraine border. The investment will last for another 30 years, reassuring the cooperation and paving the way for more investments in the coming years. The joint statement issued by China and Russia before the commencement of the Winter Olympics also sought to deepen this cooperation between the countries and assure support on issues of mutual interests.
 
According to political analysts, other than the friendship and the desire to trigger the liberalists, China also views the Ukraine and Taiwan issues in the same light. Essentially, both countries view a part of another country as their territory. China could use Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 as leverage to gain support from the Kremlin for its plans to reunify Taiwan with the mainland. The joint statement by the two countries during the Xi-Putin meeting in Beijing reiterated Russia’s stance on Taiwan. It clarified that it stands against any form of independence on the island. The statement read: "The Russian side reaffirms its support for the One-China principle, confirms that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and opposes any forms of independence of Taiwan."

Between pro-Russia and balancing its trade with Ukraine
China continues to maintain good trade relations with Ukraine. Between 1994 and 2019, Ukraine’s exports to China increased from USD 410 million to USD 3.94 billion. China also exported goods worth USD 7.36 billion in 2019. In the same year, China overtook Russia to become Ukraine’s largest trading partner. Although the trade volume has decreased during the pandemic, the trade continues to create opportunities in both China and Ukraine. However, in case of a full-blown war, it is uncertain if China would refrain from siding entirely with Russia because of its trade ties and a lucrative market for its products.
 
References:
“China, Russia 'coordinated positions' on Ukraine, says Chinese foreign ministry,” Reuters, 3 February 2022
“Explained: The China-Russia relationship,” The Indian Express, 10 February 2022
“What China thinks of possible war in Ukraine,” The Economist, 29 January 2022
“China’s Careful Dance Around the Ukraine Crisis,” Counter Punch, 10 February 2022
“What Does China Gain From The Ukraine Crisis?” The ASEAN Post, 4 February 2022
“China (CHN) and Ukraine (UKR) Trade | OEC,” The Observatory of Economic Complexity, n.d,

IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Avishka Ashok

INTERNAL
Chinese authorities call for strict crackdown on cross-border gambling
On 15 February, Xinhua reported that the Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi addressed a meeting of the department. In the meeting, he urged the authorities to increase efforts to curb cross-border gambling prevalent in China. He said that the issue affects China majorly and the existing foreign gambling groups in China must be eliminated. He also called for greater international cooperation in terms of law regulation and enforcement to solve the issue. Additionally, public awareness is an integral measure to reduce the prevalence of these gambling groups. He generated faith in the long-term results of proposed crackdown measures. (“China's police chief urges further crackdown on cross-border gambling,” Xinhua Net, 15 February 2022)

Small study finds Chinese mRNA vaccine weak against Omicron variant
On 15 February, the Straits Times reported on a small study published by the journal Cell Research that found China’s mRNA vaccine is weaker as compared to the booster vaccines against the Omicron variant. The candidates of mRNA vaccine showed sharp decline in their antibodies responsible for neutralizing Omicron effects. However, the booster doses effectively induced antibody production in animals. China has not approved the mRNA vaccine yet. However, 87 per cent of its population is vaccinated through one or the other indigenously produced vaccines. (“China's potential mRNA Covid-19 vaccine weaker against Omicron: Study,” The Straits Times, 15 February 2022)

Website of UK based human rights group inaccessible through some networks
On 16 February, the Chief Executive Benedict Rogers of Hong Kong Watch, a UK-based human rights group said that the group’s website is not accessible through some networks. This raised concerns over internet censorship in the city as imposed under the National Security Law. He argued for the freedom of speech on internet and said: “If this is not just a technical malfunction, and Hong Kongers will no longer be able to access our website because of the national security law, then this is a serious blow to internet freedom.” (“Hong Kong rights group says website not accessible through some networks,” The Straits Times, 16 February 2022)

Premier Li Keqiang pledges support to the country’s industrial and services sector
On 15 February, the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang chaired the State Council’s Executive meeting and announced that the country will boost its industrial economy and support the services sector in light of difficult situations. The meeting explored the role of the industrial sector in the country’s economic development. Li said: “We are introducing the relief policies for industrial and services sectors in special difficulty first this year, as part of the effort to frontload policies as appropriate.” (“China to step up support for industrial and services sectors in special difficulty,” Xinhua Net, 15 February 2022)

REGIONAL
Rail-sea transport freight train launched from Xi’an 
On 15 February, Xinhua Net reported that the India-China rail-sea freight train had left from the Xi’an international port station. The train will unload the goods at Huangdao port after which the goods will be transported to India via ferry. Solar panels and solar modules are being transported in 50 containers and will reach its destination in 20 days. In 2022, this is the first rail-sea freight train launched from Shaanxi province to India. (“China's Shaanxi launches rail-sea transport freight train to India,” Xinhua Net, 15 February 2022)

INTERNATIONAL
Chinese Foreign Ministry urges the US to unfreeze Afghan assets 
On 15 February, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin addressed a press briefing and urged the US to free the Afghan assets in the Central Bank of Afghanistan. Wang referred to the frozen USD 7 billion assets of the bank and said: “The United States seized Afghan assets without the consent of the Afghan people, which is tantamount to robbery. This is no different from the conduct of bandits.” (“China urges U.S. to lift asset freeze, unilateral sanctions on Afghanistan,” Xinhua Net, 15 February 2022)

Philippine presidential candidate promises peace panel to negotiate with China
On 15 February, Manny Pacquiao, the boxer-turned-politician Presidential candidate of the Philippines attended a virtual forum organized by a foriegn correspondents association. In his address to the forum, he promised to shift his priorities and deepen ties towards the US. He also vowed to form a peace panel to resolve the problems with China. On the matter, he said that China “should not abuse and trample on the Philippines' rights.” Apart from other domestic promises, negotiation with China on the South China Sea dispute concerning the Philippines was a major part of the promised actions. (“South China Sea: Manny Pacquiao to form peace panel to resolve row with Beijing if elected Philippine president,” South China Morning Post, 16 February 2022)

Ugandan artists fuse Chinese and African music to encourage population and cultural exchange
On 15 February, Xinhua reported that Ugandan artists have been mixing Adrican and Chinese music to create a new genre of music. The fused melodies are played in front of a Chinese audience. The performance makes use of African traditional wear and Chinese popular songs. Despite difficulty in mastering foreign music, the themes of patriotism and love led to exchange of art. The artists said “We are trying to strengthen the friendship between Uganda and China. China has been in a relationship with Uganda for some good time, when it comes to trade but this time we want to do it socially through music.” (“Feature: Ugandan artists fuse Chinese, African music to strengthen people-to-people ties,” Xinhua Net, 15 February 2022)