BEIJING: China’s Eurasia envoy, Li Hui, is set to embark on a diplomatic mission to Russia, Ukraine, and the headquarters of the European Union this week for talks on the two-year-old war between Moscow and Kyiv, Beijing announced Wednesday.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that Li’s tour includes visits to Russia, Ukraine, and several European Union member states, including France, Germany, and Poland.
This marks the second round of shuttle diplomacy undertaken by Li Hui, focusing on efforts to achieve a political resolution to the two-year-old war between Moscow and Kyiv. Last year, Li engaged in talks in Moscow, Kyiv, and various European capitals as part of China’s mediation efforts.
Despite being criticized for not condemning Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, China maintains its stance as a neutral party in the conflict. Last year, Beijing released a paper advocating for a “political settlement” to the crisis, emphasizing the need to restore peace in the region.
China Reiterates Commitment to Promoting Peace
Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, reiterated Beijing’s commitment to promoting peace, stating that their efforts are aimed at building consensus among all parties involved to facilitate peace talks.
China’s relationship with Russia has strengthened in recent years, particularly since the invasion of Ukraine. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed the deepening of ties during a summit in Moscow last year, declaring their partnership to be entering a “new era.”
Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, currently in Russia, described the bilateral relations between China and Russia as being at their “best period in history,” signaling the close cooperation between the two nations.
China and Russia have, in recent years, ramped up economic cooperation and diplomatic contacts, and their strategic partnership has grown closer since the invasion of Ukraine. Analysts suggest that China’s influence over Russia is growing, particularly as Moscow faces increasing international isolation.
