The Chinese government assured this Friday that there were no “victims” after the “explosions” that occurred near its consulate in the city of Odessa, in southern Ukraine, and said that the facilities “were evacuated a long time ago.”
The Ukrainian authorities denounced, this Thursday, that the Chinese consulate in the city, located on the Black Sea coast, suffered damage, after a Russian attack with missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (‘drones’).
In a statement, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that the shock wave “destroyed part of the walls and windows” of the consulate. The same note said that there is “information” that points to the Russian Army as responsible.
“China is closely following the events,” Chinese diplomacy reacted, adding that Beijing “will continue to maintain communication with the parties involved” and that it “will take all necessary measures to protect the security of Chinese institutions and citizens in Ukraine.”
“The attackers deliberately targeted the port infrastructure, administrative and residential buildings. The PRC consulate was also damaged,” said Oleg Kiper, representative of the Odessa Region Military Administration.
Beijing has refused to condemn the invasion of Ukraine in international forums, but has assured that it will not supply weapons to either side of the war.
China claims to be neutral in the conflict but has accused the United States and its allies of provoking Russia and strengthened economic, diplomatic and trade relations with Moscow.
Since the start of the invasion, Ukraine has diplomatically tried to prevent China from helping Russia militarily and has expressed hope that Beijing will use its influence over the Kremlin to achieve a reduction in Russian attacks.
In February 2022, shortly before the start of the Russian military intervention, the leaders of both nations, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, proclaimed in Beijing an “unlimited friendship” between their countries.
Source: TSF
