On Ukraine Conflict Peace Efforts, China Never Ignites or Fans the Flames

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning. (Twitter/@MFA_China)

JAKARTA - A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday that Beijing believes all efforts to support peace over the Russia-Ukraine war should be recognized.

China has never "fanned the flames or ignited the fire," Mao Ning said, responding to a question about a peace summit on the Ukraine war, reported Reuters on May 3.

According to a report, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia and China of trying to undermine plans for a global peace summit in Switzerland on June 15-16.

"It is not up to a particular country, or a particular conference, to decide whether or not to support peace. Hopefully, the peace summit in Ukraine will not be used to create bloc confrontation," Mao said on his social media account X.

China attaches great importance to its relations with Ukraine and remains its largest trading partner, Mao said, adding that China's position on the peace conference was "open and transparent."

"We believe that we can get understanding and support from all parties," Mao said.

Previously reported, President Zelensky at the Shangri-La Dialogue 2024 forum in Singapore on Sunday said that China's support for Russia would only prolong the war in Ukraine.

"With China's support for Russia, the war will last longer. That's bad for the whole world, and China's policy, which says they support territorial integrity and sovereignty and declares it officially. For them it's not good," President Zelensky was quoted as saying by CNN.

When asked about China's statement that it would not attend the peace summit, the Ukrainian leader accused Russia of using Chinese diplomats to harass him.

"It is very unfortunate, very unfortunate that a big independent and strong country like China has become an instrument in Putin's hands," President Zelensky said.

China said last week it would not send a delegation to the peace summit, saying any international peace conference should have "recognition from Russia and Ukraine, equal participation from all parties, and fair discussion of all peace plans."

China's National Defense Minister Dong Jun said in a speech on Sunday that China had "promoted peace talks with a responsible attitude."

It’s not up to certain country, or certain conference, to decide whether one supports peace or not. Hope the peace summit on #Ukraine will not be used to create bloc confrontation. pic.twitter.com/ZiLuxvWLbq

— Spokesperson发言人办公室 (@MFA_China) June 3, 2024