Is China helping Russia in Ukraine war?
CHINA has again refused to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as speculation mounts over a rumoured alliance.
The two countries have previously backed one another over matters regarding Taiwan and Nato, and have since raised concerns that they could join forces once again.
Is China helping Russia in Ukraine war?
China is not actively supporting Russia’s invasion, but have refused to denounce their actions - having “fiercely” opposed sanctions.
After Russian forces moved across the border, China went on to blame the US and its allies for provoking Moscow.
It came as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned US Secretary of State Antony Blinken against US action that may “add fuel to the flames” in Ukraine.
China then faced an angry backlash after they, alongside India, abstained on a UN vote to condemn the invasion of Ukraine.
Chinese President Xi Jinping had earlier met with President Putin at the Winter Olympics in Beijing on February 4 as the pair signed documents relating to cooperation in the financial sector and on the supply of gas.
The issued a joint statement stating “their strong mutual support for the protection of their core interests.”
Most read in News
A western intelligence report indicates that senior Chinese officials had some level of knowledge about Russia’s plans and had even asked Russia to delay its invasion of Ukraine until the Winter Olympics had ended.
And a source confirmed to Reuters that China was aware of the situation but could not provide exact details about what they knew.
China has denied the claims, suggesting there is no evidence to support them.
What has China said on Russia's invasion of Ukraine?
Despite failing to denounce Russian activity, China has called for an end to the war and could play a key role in peace talks between the two nations.
During alleged meetings with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, Mr Wang reportedly said that Beijing “laments” the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe and had been “extremely concerned” about the harm to civilians.
According to Chinese state TV, they have been since been asked help to mediate in its conflict with Russia by Ukraine.
On March 1, Mr Wang allegedly told Kuleba that the most pressing matter was “to ease the situation as much as possible to prevent the conflict from escalating or even getting out of control."
Yun Sun, the director of the east Asia programme at the Stimson Centre in Washington, argued that China is trying to take a balanced view on the invasion.
He told : “China is trying to juggle a balanced position to support Russia’s ‘reasonable concerns’ and at the same time not to burn all the bridges.”
“[Beijing] will not give the world the satisfaction of opposing Russia. Putin knew it. Whatever Russia does, the US still looms large as the biggest threat to China. For that alone, China will not oppose Russia.”
However, the foreign minister said on Monday that China’s Red Cross would send humanitarian aid to Ukraine “as soon as possible."
“China is willing to continue to play a constructive role in pushing for peace and promoting talks and is willing to work with the international community to carry out necessary mediation when needed,” he added.
Are China and Russia allies?
Despite a slew of differing policies, China and Russia continue to enjoy a good relationship.
Although they have no formal alliance, the two countries do have an informal agreement to coordinate diplomatic and economic moves - particularly in response to the US.
On Monday, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi reaffirmed their strong relationship, calling Russia China’s “most important strategic partner.”
He added: “No matter how perilous the international landscape, we will maintain our strategic focus and promote the development of comprehensive China-Russia partnership in the new era.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“The friendship between the two peoples is ironclad.”
Russia also supported China over Taiwanese independence, calling Taiwan an “inalienable part of China”, while China has supported Russia over Nato expansion into Eastern Europe.