The international community must join efforts to help achieve results in the peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and de-escalation as soon as possible.
The member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, Yang Jiechi, spoke following a meeting with the National Security Advisor of the United States, Jake Sullivan, the Chinese state agency “Xinhua” reports.
The de facto head of Chinese diplomacy noted that the state of affairs in Ukraine "has now reached a situation that China would not want to see."
“China always stands for respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter,” Yang said, “The Chinese side is making every effort to promote peace talks. All parties must exercise maximum restraint, protect the civilian population and prevent a large-scale humanitarian crisis. China has provided emergency humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and will continue its efforts in this direction."
Yang Jiechi also emphasized the, “need to straighten out the historical context of the Ukraine issue, get to the bottom of the problem's origin, and respond to the legitimate concerns of all parties.”
According to Yang, “it is important to take a long-term view, actively advocating a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, and encouraging relevant parties to conduct equal-footed dialogue and set up a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security framework based on the principle of indivisible security in a bid to preserve peace in Europe and around the world.”
“China resolutely opposes any words and deeds that spread false information or distort and discredit China's position.” Yang Jiechi stressed.
Earlier, the Financial Times (FT) reported that Russia had asked China for military assistance to continue the invasion of Ukraine. FT also claims that the United States has informed its allies in Europe and Asia that China has "shown readiness" to provide military support to Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.
Yesterday in Rome, there was a seven-hour-long meeting between Yang Jiechi and the National Security Advisor of the United States, Jake Sullivan.
“We have made it very clear to Bejing, publicly and privately, that such support [of Russia’s aggression] will have consequences,” spokesperson for the United States Department of State, Ned Price, said after the meeting.
At the same time, the representatives of the U.S. administration did not report how China responded to Russia’s request and whether the support was suggested or provided.
Earlier, the United States Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, said that the USA could take “destructive” measures against Chinese companies that ignore the sanctions against Russia.