China Rejects Selling Weapons to Either Side in Russia-Ukraine War

(CTN News) – The foreign minister of China responded to Western worries on Friday that Beijing would provide military help to Russia by saying that China would not provide weapons to either side in the conflict in Ukraine.

China Will Regulate Export of Dual-Use Items, Won’t Provide Weapons to Either Side

Even though Western nations have imposed severe sanctions and sought to isolate Moscow for its invasion of its neighbor, China has insisted that it is impartial in the crisis while supporting Russia politically, rhetorically, and economically.

Qin Gang’s statement about China’s arms supplies to Russia is the most direct statement ever made by a Chinese official. He stressed that Exporting equipment with civilian and military applications would also be regulated.

Speaking at a news conference with her German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, Qin stated, “Regarding the export of military items, China adopts a prudent and responsible attitude.”

The Chinese government has stated that it will not sell weapons to conflict parties and will strictly regulate the export of any commodities that could be used for either military or civilian purposes.

The minister also reaffirmed the Chinese government’s commitment to mediating the conflict peacefully.

China Blames Taiwan for Regional Tensions Amid Military Drills

While Beijing conducted large-scale military maneuvers to scare the island it claims as its own, Qin accused Taiwan’s administration of escalating tensions during the same news conference.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns about China’s possible assistance in the Kremlin’s war effort in February, saying that U.S. information indicated that China was considering delivering weaponry and ammunition to Russia.

European leaders have issued similar warnings recently, even as they have visited China, and the EU’s foreign policy head has blasted Beijing for what he calls a “blatant violation” of its United Nations pledges by siding with Russia during the invasion.

Baerbock said that China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, had a unique obligation to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

She questioned why China’s position didn’t include a demand that Russia, the war’s aggressor, end hostilities.

Ukraine’s citizens “would like nothing more than to finally be able to live in peace again,” and “we all know that President (Vladimir) Putin would have the opportunity to do so at any time.”

Beijing provides Russia with an economic lifeline and political cover, and Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Moscow highlighted how Beijing is gradually becoming the senior player in the relationship.

Defense Minister General Li Shangfu will travel to Russia next week to meet with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu and other military leaders, as stated by China on Friday.

Qin reiterated Beijing’s rejection of criticism from the West, especially the U.S., by articulating tired defenses of Chinese policy on Ukraine and Taiwan.

China’s rhetoric has become more strident under nationalist leader Xi, especially regarding Taiwan, which broke away from the mainland during a civil war in 1949.

China sent warships and fighter planes near Taiwan over the weekend as a show of force in response to a meeting between U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen the previous week.

Tense relations exist between China, which demands self-governing Taiwan surrender to its rule, and Taiwan’s government and its international backers, referencing Taiwan’s primary ally, the United States.

A war in the Taiwan Strait, over which a large portion of international trade travels, would cause widespread devastation, Baerbock said.

She expressed grave alarm over rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait. “Disputes need to be settled amicably.”

Qin dismissed Baerbock’s worries and declared that Taiwan was “China’s internal affair and bore no outside interference.”

Taiwan can’t be both independent and peaceful, he remarked.