China will not sell arms to either side in the Ukraine conflict, China’s foreign minister said Friday, responding to Western concerns that Beijing could provide military aid to Moscow.
Beijing has remained neutral on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while supporting Moscow politically, rhetorically and economically as Western allies have imposed sanctions and sought to isolate Russia.
Qin Gang has become the top Chinese official to make such an explicit statement about arms sales to Russia, the Associated Press (AP) news agency reported.
China’s head of diplomacy added that China will also regulate the export of dual-use items: civil and military.
“With regard to the export of military goods, China takes a prudent and responsible attitude,” Qin emphasized at a press conference together with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock.
“China will not supply arms to relevant parties to the conflict and will manage and control the export of dual-use items in accordance with laws and regulations,” he said.
The Chinese minister also reiterated China’s willingness to help find a peaceful solution to the conflict.
In February, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US had intelligence suggesting China is considering supplying Russia with arms and munitions, warning that such involvement in the Kremlin’s war effort would be a “serious problem”.
The White House today welcomed Qin’s assurance that China would not supply Russia with weapons, but expressed some concern.
“As we’ve always said, we don’t believe it’s in China’s best interest to move in that direction. We will continue to monitor it closely,” White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement. declaration.
European leaders issued similar warnings even during visits to China, and European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell lashed out at Beijing, saying its support for Russia during the invasion was “a flagrant violation” of its commitments to the United Nations.
The German diplomat also referred today to China’s role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, noting that it had a special responsibility to help end the conflict.
“I must openly say that I wonder why the Chinese position so far does not include a request to the Russian aggressor to stop the war,” said Annalena Baerbock.
The head of German diplomacy stressed that “no other country has more influence in Russia than China”.
During a visit to Moscow last month, Chinese leader Xi Jinping stressed that Beijing is becoming an increasingly important partner for the Russians because of its political coverage and economic partnership.
Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu will visit Russia from Sunday to Wednesday at the invitation of his Russian counterpart, Serguei Shoigu, where he will meet with local military leaders, a Beijing spokesman also announced today.
According to Tan Kefei, the Chinese minister, in office since March 12, will also visit several Russian academies as part of strengthening the “integral strategic association”.
The Chinese and Russian armed forces “have maintained close interaction,” which has led to “new developments in strategic communications, joint military exercises and pragmatic cooperation,” Tan said.
In late March, the Chinese military stated it was “ready to increase cooperation and communication with the Russian armed forces”.
Source: DN
