Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that he had discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, currently visiting Beijing.
“Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and I had an in-depth exchange on several important international and regional issues, including Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” Wang Yi said at a press conference. “As a responsible major country, China always decides its position independently and autonomously, with the ins and outs of the issue,” he elaborated.
China has never publicly condemned Russia
“At the same time, as a force for peace and stability, China will always play a constructive role in the international arena and multilateral affairs, never adding fuel to the fire, let alone taking advantage of it. .” In recent years, Russia and China have intensified economic cooperation and diplomatic contacts. Their strategic partnership has also been strengthened since the invasion of Ukraine.
China advocates a political settlement to end the fighting in Ukraine and presents itself as a neutral party in the conflict. It calls for respect for the territorial integrity of all states, including Ukraine, but has never publicly condemned Russia for its military operation. China also regularly urges a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in order to guarantee the safety of civilians. Sergei Lavrov arrived in China on Monday for a two-day official visit.