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Visit Russian Federation President of the People's Republic of China (PRC) Xi Jinping showed that China wants peace in Ukraine, but Beijing will not make “unrealistic demands” in this regard, writes the South China Morning Post (SCMP).< /p>
Experts say China's proposals to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict may be an attempt to counter criticism that Beijing supports Moscow and show that it stands for peace instead. The article states that the Chinese side's peace proposals have been perceived as pro-Russian in the West due to its reluctance to condemn Russia and ask it to withdraw from Ukrainian territory.
China's peace efforts – an attempt to correct its position after declaring last year that relations with the Russian Federation have no borders, which caused a huge amount of criticism, the publication said. “China's position is clear. We stand behind the world. If China decides to side with Russia and help it in the fight against Ukraine, then of course it will also not benefit China's relations with the United States and Europe”, – Sichuan University international relations professor Pang Zhonging shared his view.
It is emphasized that China is now under strong pressure from EU leaders, who are urging it to use its influence with Moscow to end the conflict. The People's Republic of China is likely to face even more pressure in 2023, given upcoming summits with European leaders, said Wang Yiwei, a professor of international relations at Renmin University. At the same time, according to the analyst, China has no illusions about what it can achieve in the Ukrainian issue and does not expect an immediate cessation of hostilities, but a consensus that will satisfy all parties.
According to a Ukrainian expert, Chinese President Xi Jinping will not “unrealistic demands” that Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky will not accept at this stage. Wang Yiwei pointed out that the outcome of the conflict is not yet clear and China will not be able to stand on one side and defend the other. “He will also not make any unrealistic demands regarding territory and withdrawal of troops,” the professor concluded.