China’s foreign minister said on Friday that China will not sell weapons to either side of the Ukraine war
Posted Date – Friday, 4/14/23 at 11:59pm
Beijing: China will not sell arms to either side of the war in Ukraine, China’s foreign minister said on Friday, responding to Western concerns that Beijing may provide military aid to Russia.
China has maintained its neutrality in the conflict, while backing Russia politically, rhetorically and economically as Western countries impose punitive sanctions and try to isolate Moscow from invading its neighbors.
Qin Gang is the highest-level Chinese official who has made such a clear statement on the issue of arms sales to Russia. China will also regulate the export of dual-use items, he added.
“On the issue of military exports, China is taking a prudent and responsible attitude,” Qin told a news conference with visiting German Foreign Minister Berberk.
“China will not provide weapons to relevant conflicting parties, and will manage and control the export of military and civilian dual-use items in accordance with laws and regulations.” The minister also reiterated that China is willing to help find a peaceful solution to the conflict.
At the same news conference, Qin also accused the Taiwanese government of fueling regional tensions after Beijing staged massive military exercises to intimidate the islands it claims as its own.
In February, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the United States had intelligence that China was considering supplying Russia with arms and ammunition — and warned that such involvement in the Kremlin’s war effort would be a “serious problem.” European leaders have issued similar warnings even while visiting China in recent days, with the bloc’s foreign policy chief lashing out at Beijing, saying its backing of Russia during the invasion was a “flagrant breach” of its UN commitments.
In his speech, Belbook also mentioned China’s role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, saying China has a special responsibility to help end the conflict.
“But I wonder why China’s positioning so far has not included calling on the aggressor, Russia, to stop the war,” she said.
“We all know that President (Vladimir) Putin has the opportunity to do so at any time, and the Ukrainian people can hope nothing more than to finally be able to live in peace again.” Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow last month underscored how Beijing is increasingly Become a high-level partner in the relationship between the two countries, because it provides Russia with an economic lifeline and political cover.
China announced on Friday that Defense Minister Li Shangfu will visit Russia next week to meet with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and other military officials.
On Ukraine and Taiwan, Qin Shihuang expressed a well-worn defense of Chinese policy, emphasizing Beijing’s refusal to accept criticism from the West, especially the United States.
Under Xi Jinping, a fervent nationalist, China has stepped up its rhetoric, especially on Taiwan, which was split from mainland China in a civil war in 1949.
Tensions around Taiwan markedly escalated after China deployed warships and fighter jets near the island last weekend in retaliation for U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.
China insists that self-governing Taiwan submit to its rule, whether peacefully or by force, and Chin says the pursuit of independence by Taiwan’s government and its foreign backers — alluding to its main ally, the United States — is the cause of the tension.
Belbook warned that a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, through which most of the world’s international trade passes, would spell global catastrophe.
“We are therefore very concerned about the growing tension in the Taiwan Strait,” she said. “The conflict must be resolved peacefully. As a European, it is unacceptable to unilaterally change the status quo.” Chin apparently rejected Belbook’s concerns, saying Taiwan was “China’s internal affair.” “Taiwan independence and peace cannot coexist,” he said.
