BEIJING: China responded on Wednesday regarding the planned peace conference on the Ukraine war in Switzerland, indicating that significant groundwork would be required before the meeting could proceed, though it did not confirm its attendance.
The announcement of the high-level peace conference by the Swiss government, scheduled for mid-June, excludes Russia from participation. This development comes amidst heightened economic and diplomatic collaboration between China and Russia, particularly following the Ukraine invasion.
While China asserts its neutrality in the Ukraine conflict and has expressed interest in mediating, it has faced criticism for refraining from condemning Moscow’s actions.
After discussions with President Xi Jinping in Beijing, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that both leaders had agreed to actively promote the conference. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed this initiative, viewing China’s involvement as potentially instrumental in achieving a “just peace” for Ukraine.
However, China’s official stance on the conference remains cautious. Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized that President Xi supports a conference endorsed by Russia and Ukraine but noted that substantial preparatory work is needed before its realization.
Lin reiterated China’s commitment to resolving conflicts through diplomacy and negotiations, emphasizing that diplomatic channels are crucial for addressing the Ukraine crisis.
During the discussions with Chancellor Scholz, President Xi was urged to leverage China’s influence with Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine. China’s role in this regard was highlighted, with Scholz noting that “China’s word carries weight in Russia.”
President Xi outlined “four principles” aimed at preventing further escalation of the Ukraine crisis and restoring peace, emphasizing the importance of upholding peace and stability, cooling down the situation, creating conditions for peace restoration, and mitigating negative impacts on the global economy.
These principles align with China’s previous calls for a political settlement to the conflict, although Western nations have expressed concerns that such a resolution could solidify Russia’s control over seized Ukrainian territory.
