Foreign Minister Qin Gang Calls on China to Liaise with All Parties to Seek Armistice in Ukraine

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Lusinta Agustina)

JAKARTA - Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Tuesday Beijing would maintain lines of communication with all parties involved in the war in Ukraine, including Germany, in seeking a ceasefire.

European nations have repeatedly criticized China for its refusal to describe Russia's war in Ukraine as an invasion, or call for a Russian withdrawal.

Beijing has dismissed Western fears that it might consider arming Russia in its Ukraine campaign, which it calls a "special military operation" against security threats.

"As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a responsible major country, China will not watch the fire from the other side or add fuel to the fire," Foreign Minister Qin told reporters along with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, during a visit to Berlin, Reuters reported on May 10.

"China is willing to maintain communication with relevant parties, including Germany, to reach an earlier ceasefire," he continued.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Baerbock welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the first since Russia's invasion in February 2022, but said it was important for Beijing to assert its support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He said China - which with Moscow declared a borderless partnership just days before Russian troops invaded Ukraine - "could play a significant role in ending the war if it chose to do so".

On the occasion, Foreign Minister Qin and Foreign Minister Baerbock also touched on the European Union's proposal to blacklist several Chinese companies, limiting exports to countries deemed involved in violations of Russia's trade restrictions under the latest series of European Union sanctions against Moscow over the invasion.

Foreign Minister Qin said Beijing "firmly opposes some countries using their so-called laws to impose long-handed jurisdiction and unilateral sanctions against other countries, including China".

"China will make the necessary response and resolutely protect the legitimate rights and legitimate interests of Chinese companies," said Foreign Minister Qin.

Foreign Minister Baerbock said negotiations on a new sanctions package were ongoing, but in general it was important to prevent Russian defense companies "gaining access to war-relevant goods", and to ensure "that sanctioned goods do not fall into the wrong hands".

Germany has been reassessing its bilateral relationship with China amid growing wariness of Beijing as a strategic rival, even though China remains Berlin's biggest trading partner.