By Le Figaro with AFP
Posted 2 hours ago , Updated 2 hours ago
Foreign Minister Qin Gang on February 20 in Beijing. GREG BAKER / AFP
The statements come after the Chinese government on Monday refused to supply arms to Russia to support its offensive in Ukraine.
China, “very concerned” about the conflict in Ukraine, which is “intensifying and even spiraling out of control,” calls for “promoting dialogue,” Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Tuesday. “We will continue to promote peace dialogue … and work with the international community to promote dialogue and consultation, address the concerns of all parties and seek common security,” he added while meeting a conference in Beijing.
The statements come after the Chinese government on Monday refused to supply arms to Russia to support its offensive in Ukraine, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, estimated that a possible arms shipment from China to Russia would present a “red line” for the European Union.
“Oil on the Fire”
“We call on the affected countries to stop adding fuel to the fire, blaming China and not making a fuss and shouting ‘Today Ukraine, Tomorrow Taiwan’ as soon as possible,” the Chinese foreign minister announced on Tuesday in the territory claimed by China.
A few days before February 24, a year after the start of the Russian invasion, Western pressure is mounting on China, which has never publicly supported or criticized the offensive while repeatedly voicing support for Moscow in the face of Western sanctions. On Saturday, China said it would publish a proposal to find “a political solution” to the war in Ukraine in the coming days.