BEIJING: China has expressed its support for the “balanced and fully implemented” Black Sea Grain Initiative. Mao Ning, spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry, stated that China hopes the initiative will continue to be carried out in a balanced manner. The Chinese government has also put forward its own proposals for international food security cooperation, according to a report by the Beijing-based daily Global Times.
Mao emphasized that China is willing to enhance communication and collaboration with all parties involved in order to foster greater international consensus and ensure global food security. This statement comes as the agreement signed a year ago by Turkey, the United Nations, Russia, and Ukraine to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports is set to expire today, unless an extension is granted.
Black Sea Grain Deal
The agreement, which was established in Istanbul, aimed to restore grain exports that had been paused due to the Russia-Ukraine war that began in February of last year. To oversee the shipments, a Joint Coordination Center was established in Istanbul with officials from the three countries and the United Nations.
However, Russian officials have indicated that they may block the extension of the grain deal, citing unfulfilled provisions of the agreement that were meant to allow for Russian exports. The future of the agreement remains uncertain as its expiration deadline approaches.
China’s support for the balanced and full implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative demonstrates its commitment to fostering cooperation in the international food trade and ensuring global food security. The stance of other involved parties, particularly Russia, will determine the fate of the agreement and the resumption of grain exports from the Black Sea region.
