Photo: News Front
The Government of the People’s Republic of China has begun verifying information about Chinese citizens who were taken prisoner by the Ukrainian military in Donetsk region. According to the Ukrainian side, these are individuals who took part in hostilities on the side of the Russian occupation forces.
This was announced today by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a briefing in Beijing.
“China is clarifying the information with the Ukrainian side,” Lin said briefly, effectively acknowledging Beijing’s interest in a situation that potentially calls into question China’s official neutrality.
However, the diplomat was unable to confirm the existence of direct diplomatic contacts between Kyiv and Beijing regarding the prisoners:
“I have no information as to whether the two sides have communicated on this issue.”
Amid concerns from the Ukrainian authorities and a harsh statement from the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga, who called on China to explain itself and reminded it of its responsibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, official Beijing tried to tone down the rhetoric.
“Such claims are unfounded. In fact, China’s position on the Ukrainian crisis is clear and widely recognised by the international community. We urge the Ukrainian side to objectively assess our efforts towards a political settlement,” Lin said.
At the same time, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stressed that the Chinese government is allegedly constantly urging its citizens not to participate in any armed conflicts and to refrain from staying in combat zones.
“We stand for an end to the conflict and peace talks. The Ukrainian side should correctly and constructively assess our efforts,” the foreign ministry spokesman added.
Despite its formal neutrality, the fact that Chinese citizens are participating in the armed conflict on the side of the aggressor state casts a shadow over Beijing’s official position and raises doubts about its sincerity as a potential peacemaker.
