Beijing urges Ukraine to “correctly assess” its peace efforts
10 April 14:35
China has responded to the statements of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, who said that the participation of Chinese citizens in the war against Ukraine on the side of the Russians casts doubt on China’s position on peace.
Beijing’s reaction was voiced by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, Radio Free Asia reports , "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to him, the claims that Chinese citizens are helping Russia in the war are groundless. Beijing itself, he said, has always urged its citizens to avoid armed conflicts and not to participate in them, especially on the side of any of the parties.
He emphasized that China’s position on the “crisis in Ukraine” is “clear and understandable” and has allegedly received “wide recognition from the international community.” Ukraine should correctly assess China’s efforts to resolve the war and its constructive role, the spokesman said.
At present, the Chinese side, together with the Ukrainian side, is still verifying information about the Chinese captured.
As a reminder, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said that the participation of Chinese citizens in the Russian army “calls into question China’s proclaimed position on peace and undermines Beijing’s credibility as a responsible permanent member of the UN Security Council.”
What is known about the Chinese citizens in captivity?
Two Chinese citizens who fought in the Russian army in the Donetsk region were taken prisoner by Ukraine. They are already in the custody of the Security Service of Ukraine. Ukraine has their documents, bank cards, and personal data.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga to immediately contact Beijing and find out how China is going to respond. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already summoned China’s chargé d’affaires in Ukraine to get an explanation.
Zelenskyy said that Ukraine has information about the involvement of more than two Chinese in the Russian occupation army, making the total number of Chinese involved at least 155. According to him, official Beijing is aware of the participation of its citizens in the war on the side of Russia.
