China, Russia key to global security, Ukraine crisis solution: Wang Yi

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Feb 2024 20:03

The Chinese diplomat stressed the significance of a stable China-Russia relationship that aligns with the mutual interests of both nations and promotes strategic stability globally.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivers a speech at the Munich Security Conference at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. (AP)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi asserted on Saturday that China and Russia play a crucial role in maintaining strategic security in the Asia-Pacific region and globally, reaffirming Beijing's commitment to assisting with diplomatic efforts in resolving the Ukraine crisis.

"Russia is China's largest neighboring country. A China-Russia relationship that grows steadily on the basis of non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party, meets the shared interest of the two countries, serves the strategic stability of the Asia-Pacific and the world," Wang said at the Munich Security Conference.

Chinese contributions to peace efforts

Wang added that China "has never given up on promoting peace or slackened its efforts to facilitate talks" on the Ukrainian crisis. He further recalled that China drafted a 12-point document for these purposes and appointed a special envoy to mediate among parties.

"There is only one goal that China hopes to achieve, that is to build consensus to ending the conflict and pave the way for peace talks," Wang said, adding that China did not initiate or take part in the Ukrainian crisis, but it also did not remain passive or exploit the situation.

China's foreign minister also emphasized that China and Europe represent two of the world's "major forces" and that a more stable relationship would benefit the entire globe.

"A more stable and closer relationship between China and Europe not only works to the advantage of both sides, but also brings benefits to the whole world. It is imperative that China and Europe stay clear of geopolitical and ideological distractions, see each other as partners rather than rivals … and point the way to overcome difficulties together," Wang said.

The West senses its retreat

China's rise has in recent years stirred unease for the West, particularly due to its significant growth in trade and development projects, along with investments in both domestic industries and military capabilities.

For the EU, China has been a significant source of anxiety due to its economic performance surpassing that of some of Europe's major companies. This concern has prompted the bloc to consider implementing a risk-reduction strategy with China.

For the US, on the other hand, China has been a cause of concern due to its expanding military capabilities, which have challenged US military supremacy regionally and globally.

On February 8, the leaders of Russia and China, namely Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping respectively, accused the US of interference in their countries' affairs, as per a statement issued by the Kremlin.

During a phone conversation, they jointly denounced the "US policy of interfering in the internal affairs of other states."

"The leaders of the two countries realize that the US is practically implementing a policy of double containment, (toward) both Russia and China," the Kremlin said.