China’s Ukraine ‘concerns’ simply reek of hypocrisy
Foreign Minister Qin Gang wraps up his dove-like speech in ‘Wolf Warrior’ rhetoric as the war drags on
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has warned that Russia’s war in Ukraine is spiraling “out of control.”
His comments at a global security conference in Beijing on Tuesday reeked of hypocrisy.
Since Moscow’s illegal invasion of the Eastern European democracy nearly a year ago, Qin’s boss and China’s autocratic leader, Xi Jinping, has cemented his “no limits” partnership with “best friend” and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But that was conveniently ignored by Qin in a dove-like speech wrapped up in “Wolf Warrior” rhetoric.
“It has been nearly a year since the crisis in Ukraine escalated across the board,” he said at the Lanting Forum.
“China is deeply concerned that the conflict is intensifying and even getting out of control. [We urge] the countries concerned to stop adding fuel to the fire as soon as possible, to stop shifting the blame to China,” he added in a pointed remark aimed at the United States and its European allies.
Between the lines:
- Qin’s statement was delivered just hours after US President Joe Biden’s surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
- He told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Washington will back the fight against Russia for “as long as it takes.”
- Biden spelled out America’s policy as he walked the streets of Kyiv.
- “We have every confidence you’re going to continue to prevail,” he said.
We do not add fuel to the fire.
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi
Delve deeper: Tension between the US and China is rising over a host of issues, including Xi’s support for Putin’s war.
Dangerous game: On Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinked said in a television interview that he was “concerned” that China was “considering providing lethal support to Russia” as the conflict drags on.
Alternative news: “We do not add fuel to the fire, and we’re against reaping benefits from this crisis,” China’s top diplomat Wang Yi said in response, echoing Beijing’s propaganda views that dominate the narrative in the country’s state-run media.
Big picture: China loves to paint the image of a “peace-loving nation,” glossing over Beijing’s threats to take the democratic island of Taiwan by force, and the PLA Navy’s militarization of the South China Sea.
Enemy at the gates: “Stop making an uproar by shouting ‘Today Ukraine, Tomorrow Taiwan’. The pressures to contain China are getting stronger and stronger, they are getting worse and worse, posing a serious threat to [our] security,” Foreign Minister Qin said.
China Factor comment: On the day that state-owned Global Times published an editorial entitled China-Russia friendship is a positive asset for the world, Beijing appears to be doubling down on its support for the “war criminals in the Kremlin.”