Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warns against “expanding the battlefield” in Russia’s war against Ukraine
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi issued a warning about the danger of expanding the combat zone in Russia’s war against Ukraine during his speech at the UN General Assembly. Wang Yi said that the PRC is categorically against the “expansion of the battlefield” and the escalation of the conflict, which could lead to the involvement of new countries in the war and increased tensions in the region. He emphasized that the further expansion of the military operations zone will not only increase the number of human casualties and destruction, but may also cause serious global consequences, including the destabilization of the world economy and violation of international security.
Wang Yi also noted that China remains committed to the diplomatic settlement of the conflict and will continue to use the so-called “shuttle diplomacy”, which involves active mediation between the parties to the conflict. Beijing considers it necessary to avoid situations where individual states use the military crisis to advance their own interests, and calls on the international community to focus on supporting peaceful dialogue and finding compromises.
In addition, the minister called on other states to refrain from actions that could add fuel to the fire of the conflict, such as the supply of weapons or other resources that could contribute to further escalation. He emphasized that China does not want to see the continuation of the war and is ready to participate in any peace initiatives aimed at ending hostilities.
Against this background, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken expressed serious reservations about China’s actions, accusing it of covertly supporting the Russian defense industry. During the meeting with Wang, Blinken emphasized that China, despite its rhetoric about a peaceful settlement, actually allows its companies to supply Russia with technologies and components that can be used for military purposes. According to the Secretary of State, such activity contradicts Beijing’s claims to support peace and contributes to the continuation of Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Blinken also expressed concern that China could expand its support for Russia, which in turn would further complicate the international community’s efforts to stop the war. He called on the Chinese leadership to immediately stop any actions that could contribute to Russia’s military potential, and instead actively engage in a peace process based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
