China denied this Wednesday that it plans to supply arms to Russia and pointed out that it maintains a “friendly” and “mutually beneficial” relationship with Portugal, after Lisbon said it would review ties if Beijing provided military support to Moscow .
China will not make military sales to belligerents or conflict zonesthe Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a written response to questions from the Lusa bureau.
Beijing “has always had a prudent and responsible attitude” in arms and military equipment exports, he added.
Chinese diplomacy also stated that it maintains friendly, long-standing and “mutually beneficial” ties with Portugal.
Relations between Lisbon and Beijing are “in line with the interests of both parties”, was the response sent to Lusa, after Portuguese Foreign Minister João Gomes Cravinho declared that Lisbon “understands the significance of the political and economic relationship” with China, should the Asian country provide military support to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Chinese government recalled that last week it proposed a plan to end the conflict.
Beijing’s proposal emphasizes the importance of “respecting the sovereignty of all countries” in a reference to Ukraine, but it also calls for an end to the “Cold War mentality” – a term Beijing has coined. often used to criticize the US foreign government. policy.
“The security of a region should not be achieved through the strengthening or expansion of military blocs”reads the document, in an implicit critique of NATO enlargement.
The plan calls for an end to Western sanctions against Russia, measures to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities, the establishment of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians and actions to guarantee grain exports after supply disruptions worldwide caused prices to rise. .
China has said it is neutral in the conflict but maintains an “unrestricted” relationship with Russia and has refused to criticize the invasion of Ukraine. Beijing accused the West of provoking the conflict and “fanning the fire” by supplying Ukraine with defense weapons.
The Asian country sees the partnership with Moscow as fundamental to opposing the liberal democratic order, led by the United States. Relations between Beijing and Washington have also deteriorated rapidly in recent years due to a trade and technology war, disputes over human rights, the status of Hong Kong and Taiwan or the sovereignty of the South China Sea.
China’s diplomacy also said it wants to work with Portugal to promote exchanges and bilateral cooperation, aiming to “achieve greater results and benefits for both sides”.
Source: DN
