China, Russia and Ukraine

On 23 February, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun attended the 76th session of the UN General Assembly on Ukraine and urged the countries to restrain from taking extreme actions that could catalyze tensions in the Ukraine issue. China also pledged to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and urged countries to find a diplomatic resolution to the crisis. China reiterated its standpoint that the situation in Ukraine has deteriorated as a result of multiple players interfering in the region and urged the concerned countries from reacting aggressively. He said: "China calls on all parties to recognize the importance of implementing the principle of indivisible security, to continue to engage in dialogue and consultation, and to seek reasonable solutions that address each other's concerns through peaceful means on the basis of equality and mutual respect. We welcome and encourage all efforts aimed at facilitating a diplomatic solution."

The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying also condemned the sanctions on Russia during a press briefing and said: “Sanctions are never fundamentally effective means to solve problems, and China always opposes all illegal unilateral sanctions. Have U.S. sanctions solved any problems? Is the world a better place because of those sanctions?” She also accused the US of supplying arms and ammunition to Ukraine, thereby heightening the opportunities for conflict in the region. She further emphasized that the diplomatic option to resolving the crisis is still available and urged countries to deal in a rational way. 

(“China urges all parties involved in Ukraine issue to exercise restraint,” Xinhua Net, 24 February 2022; China calls for diplomatic settlement of Ukraine issue,” Xinhua Net, 23 February 2022)

From our archives:
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 Keerthana Nambiar and Avishka Ashok

INTERNAL
CPC official extends Tibetan new year greetings to the Panchen Lama
On 23 February, the Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official You Quan met with the 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu in Beijing. You extended greetings for the Tibetan new year to the Panchen Lama and all the Tibetan Buddhism believers. He recognized the progress made by Panchen Lama and explained how the Communist Party can play an important role in adapting Tibetan Buddhism believers. Panchen Lama confirmed that he intends to support CPC Central Committee and President Xi Jinping and “uphold the principle that Tibetan Buddhism must be Chinese in orientation and make new achievements in promoting the adaptation of the religion to socialist society.” (“Senior CPC official meets Panchen Lama,” Xinhua Net, 23 February 2022)

Vice Premier stresses environment protection at inspection meeting 
On 23 February, Xinhua Net reported that the Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng attended the meeting which sought to inspect the country’s environmental protection efforts. At the meeting, he stressed the continuation of the work being conducted on the local environmental protection. He said: “Inspectors should have the courage to tackle tough problems and strictly deal with prominent issues that have seriously damaged the environment and harmed the interests of the people.” (“Chinese vice premier stresses further efforts on environmental inspection,” Xinhua Net, 23 February 2022)

National People’s Congress to use new digital platform in upcoming session 
On 23 February, China inaugurated a digital working platform to help the lawmakers in the country in effectively performing their roles. Through this platform, the lawmakers can process proposals online, suggest changes and review suggestions by deputies to the National People’s Congress. The platform will be used for the first time during the fifth session of the 13th NPC which is scheduled to take place on 5 March 2022. It was tested during the last session and gave positive results. (“China launches digital working platform for lawmakers,” Xinhua Net, 24 February 2022)

China resumed building new coal-fired power generation capacity, says Reuters
On 24 February, Reuters reported that in 2021, China started building 33 gigawatts of new coal-fired power generation capacity. This report is in line with the latest research published by Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and US think tank Global Energy Monitor (GEM). The research shows that China resumed five projects with a total capacity of 7.3 GW for construction in 2022 after it was initially suspended in 2021. CREA and GEM said: “ There is no space for this new capacity to be utilized under the goals of the Paris Agreement.” (“China starts building 33 GW of coal power in 2021, most since 2016 -research,” Reuters, 24 February 2022)

REGIONAL
China lodges solemn representations with Japan over diplomat’s actions in the country
On 23 February, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying commented on the alleged misbehaviour of a Japanese Diplomat in China and announced the country’s decision to lodge solemn representations with its neighbour. The statements were made at a press briefing in Beijing. She said: “We found upon verification that the Japanese diplomat engaged in activities inconsistent with the individual's capacity in China.” The spokesperson implored on Japan to respect China’s laws and prevent similar incidents in the future. (“China urges Japan to strictly discipline its diplomatic personnel in China,” Xinhua Net, 23 February 2022)

Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirms China’s support for Nepal's development
On 23 February, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced that China will continue to support Nepal’s socioeconomic development. Hua said: “The U.S. Embassy in Nepal described the 500-million-dollar MCC grant as 'a gift from the American people to Nepalis.' I wonder, since when does a gift come with the package of an ultimatum? How can anyone accept such a 'gift'? Is it a 'gift' or Pandora's box?.” She confirmed that China believes in pursuing international cooperation and will continue supporting Nepalese people. (“China reaffirms support for Nepal's own development path,” Xinhua Net, 23 February 2022)

INTERNATIONAL
President Xi Jinping inaugurates leadership school in Tanzania
On 24 February, Chinese President Xi Jinping made remarks congratulating the inauguration of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School on Tanzania. The leadership school is a joint effort of six liberation movements from Southern Africa Development Community and construction support by China. President Xi said that the school will strengthen the six parties and build their governing capacities. Xi highlighted the need for China and African countries to strengthen unity and cooperation and works towards common development. (“Xi calls for strengthening China-Africa cooperation,” China Daily, 24 February 2022)