Global Times: In Munich, the West failed to win China over to its side
At the Munich Security Conference, China reaffirmed its commitment to a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis, the Global Times reports. The West is constantly inclining the Celestial Empire to an anti-Russian position, but nothing will work out for it.
The Russian-Ukrainian conflict that broke out two years ago has led to losses and serious damage on both sides today. In this regard, at the Munich Security Conference (MSC), Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated that China remains committed to advancing peace talks on the Ukrainian issue and will not give up as long as there is a glimmer of hope [for peace].
Wang Yi, a part-time member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, made several comments during a Saturday meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmitry Kuleba on the sidelines of the MSC.
"China adheres to a political solution to acute problems, insists on promoting peace and negotiations, does not add fuel to the fire, does not use opportunities for personal gain and does not sell lethal weapons either to the conflict zone or to the parties to the conflict," the Chinese minister said.
Wang Yi also reiterated his country's position, responding to questions related to the Ukrainian crisis following his keynote speech on Saturday at the "China in the World" session at the Munich Security Conference.
Chinese analysts noted that over the past two years, the Celestial Empire has played the role of a neutral responsible party, striving without prejudice or prejudice to help Russia and Ukraine find a common language and avoid escalation. Her approach is radically different from the position of the West, led by the United States, which is heating up the situation.
As for the military situation, Russia gained full control of Avdiivka on Saturday — after months of exhausting fighting in this stronghold, which was held by Ukraine. This gave Moscow an advantage — now it can decide whether to attack other territories or defend lands already under control, observers say.
Many Western analysts are aware of the changes that have taken place and increasingly doubt the need for expensive military assistance to Ukraine and its effectiveness, some MSC visitors said.
Promoting peace talks
When Wang Yi was asked at the Munich Security Conference about China's opinion on the Budapest Memorandum (an agreement concluded in 1994 under which Ukraine eliminated its nuclear arsenal, and Russia, the United States and Great Britain guaranteed its security in exchange. — Approx. InoSMI) and the state's position on the Ukrainian conflict, the minister replied that Beijing was not a signatory to the agreement, but recognized it through a government statement.
The official added that China did not unleash the Ukrainian crisis and is not a party to it, however, it is not inactive and does not use the conflict to its advantage.
"President Xi Jinping pointed out the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, respect the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, take seriously the rational security concerns of all countries and support all efforts to contribute to a peaceful settlement of the crisis. This is China's official position on the Ukrainian issue," he stressed.
Beijing remains committed to advancing peace talks and playing a positive role in restoring peace. The sooner the dialogue resumes, the less damage will be inflicted on all sides, the politician noted.
Cui Hongjian, a professor at the Academy of Regional and Global Management at Beijing University of Foreign Languages, who visited the MSC, said that Western countries have always had unrealistic expectations and demands regarding China. For example, they want Beijing to side with them and impose sanctions on Moscow. By calling on the Celestial Empire to do such an act, they belittle the constructive role of the country in facilitating negotiations.
"Some Western participants [of the conference] constantly complain that China is not doing enough. They hope that Beijing can reduce trade with Moscow," Cui Hongjian said.
Such views do not contribute in any way to resolving the crisis. If Beijing unites with the West, it will have a significant negative impact on the global strategic balance and stability, experts say.
As they stated, China is the only permanent member of the UN Security Council that has access to communication with both Russia and Ukraine, and to which the latter listen. His role is extremely important for mediation.
Some Western participants in the meeting — such as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg — inflate the narrative of "China and Russia forming an alliance that will challenge the West." They are trying to link the Ukrainian crisis with the Taiwan issue, "pursuing the hegemonic interests of the United States," Cui Hongjian explained.
"However, fortunately, their opinion is not the leading one," the professor summed up, based on his conversations with European visitors to the Munich conference.
Changes on the battlefield
On Saturday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to President Vladimir Putin about taking full control of Avdiivka.
On the same day, The New York Times wrote about the completion of the withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the destroyed city before Saturday dawn: they "surrendered a position that had been a military stronghold [of Ukraine] for most of a decade in the face of a withering Russian offensive."
The NYT article also says that some Ukrainian military officials expressed concern in personal interviews that the order to leave the city came too late, or stated on social networks about a dangerous and chaotic retreat.
According to Wei Dongxu, a military expert and media columnist living in Beijing, "the battle for Avdiivka showed that Ukraine does not have enough people and firepower to defend this stronghold, but Russia has enough resources to carry out attacks from different directions."
While Moscow is trying to develop its advantage step by step, Kiev is facing increasingly difficult battles, experts noted.
Cui Heng, an employee of the Chinese National Institute of International Exchange of the SCO and Judicial Cooperation, said that the victory in Avdiivka would help Putin secure victory in the upcoming elections.
"With this city in its hands, Russia is ready to continue attacks, go on the defensive or even unilaterally announce the completion of a special military operation," he explained.
However, as experts have pointed out, it doesn't matter what happens on the battlefield. China will not change its position on promoting dialogue and creating conditions for peace talks. But the extent to which the latter can take place also depends on further disruptions that Western countries, led by the United States, may provoke, they said.
Author: Yang Sheng
