The Truth is Relative: How Ukraine and China Perceive each Other

 

Xi Jinping (Left) and Volodymyr Zelensky (Right)
Image Credit: Google

Volodymyr Zelensky, The Ukrainian President visited warring sites in the eastern parts of his country. Upon his return, according to Al-Jazeera, he veraciously read news on his mobile from the cracked screen. He seemed to have a firm opinion about China that it’s the only remaining heavy weighted partner of Moscow. He was speaking in the context of Ukraine’s war.

There are speculations by the observers at both ends, portraying about how Ukraine and Chine perceive each other. In order to have a clear insight, both perspectives are discussed separately:

The Ukraine’s Perceptions about China in context of the War:

Volodymyr Zelensky told Al-Jazeera that “China prefers to stay away from this mess,” and “they will never openly support Russia,”. He stressed on “Opnely” as the keyword.

China still considers Moscow as its unparallel strategic ally, despite of the fact that War in Ukraine has entered in its 15^th month.

According to him, Chinese President has remained the only powerful state who still maintained an amicable ties with Moscow while using its permanent status in the United Nations’ Security Council to repel diplomatic attacks on Russia.

It was further added that, Xi Jinping never denounced the war instead it used the word “Crisis”.

Ukrainian observers opined about China that its position entails both ambivalence and omissions.

Al-Jazeera quotes some observers while saying that Xi Jinping perceives Russia’s annexation of Crimea through the lens by which it sees Taiwan, the Island that it wants to unify with the mainland Communist China.  

The observers are sceptic about China, and term its peacekeeping attempts equal to the efforts of adding a feather of truce in its cap. But in reality, China wants to freeze the conflict on Russia’s terms so that it can replenish its arsenals, train more personnels, and swich its economy to wartime mode.

Ukrainian former Foreign Minister, Volodymyr Ohryzko threatened China while saying that “It should not cross the line, else it will face problem both at economic and political ends.”

Chinese Stance:

Al-Jazeera quoted Petro Shevchenko, who is part of the Jilin University, China, to explain Chinese perspective. He said, “China does not need a pompous truce but in principle, it will make do with a freeze of some kind, when Ukraine doesn’t declare that war is end.”

According to him, Beijing has declared that territorial integrity of the Ukraine should ne maintained.

In February, China proposed a 12-points peace-plan that was perceived sceptically by the Western powers.

By further adding that, China also called for a dialogue between the two countries and denounced the possibility of nuclear escalation.

According to him, the Western power not only lamented the peace plan but put sanction on Russia instead of urging it to withdraw its troops.

Shevchenko speculated about the Beijing’s post-war plans for Kyiv that it will resort to economic uplift and statecraft. It may contribute to the restoration of Ukraine and providing the country with a better access for its food products to Chinese markets.

By quoting the past 2017 scenario that has witnessed China becoming Ukraine’s largest trading partner. It purchased wheat, corns, jet engines and steel slabs among many other things.

Beijing also wanted to include Ukraine in its greater Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) a project that straddles Eurasia from Pakistan to Poland. The desire was refuted by Ukraine after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.

The observer has highlighted concerns if Zelensky put off Chinese peace offer, then Xi Jingling is likely to start supplying Russia with weapon, including drones and microchips.

According to him, China can also signal North Korea and Iran to provide weapons to Russia.

But Ukrainian former Foreign Minister refuted the claim by saying that Beijing will not do this.

(Courtesy: Al-Jazeera)