By Zhao Ping
The Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia raised many questions globally. The most important of which is its impact on the Russian-Chinese relations, while the second one is its effect on the global situation, especially the role China will play in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
When we look at the current global situation, we find that security challenges are complex and intertwined, particularly with the presence of unilateralism and hegemony, the harsh effects of global economic recovery and the new challenges, like climate change and the decline of globalization.
From China’s point of view, “peace, development, cooperation and win-win relations” represent a historical path and trajectory. At the same time, China does not believe in the existence of a superior country in this world, a universally applicable model of national governance or an international system that allows only a particular country to have the final say. Accordingly, the Chinese President Xi has stressed that a
unified world, and not a divided one, serves the common interests of all mankind.
At the moment, Russia is under various Western sanctions, mainly the diplomatic isolation, which is why some Western countries have tarnished the visit’s endeavors describing it- as they call it- support for certain Russian positions, which is a one-sided and irresponsible view.
Both China and Russia play a critical role in global and regional affairs, like global economic development, because they are two permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and important members of global and regional organizations such as the G20 and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. Thus, amid today’s circumstances, the stability and development of the Russian-Chinese relations will contribute to worldwide stability.
In my opinion, China can play a positive role in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, as China always adheres to an objective and impartial stance and works to promote peace talks.
In February of this year, China issued its document entitled “China’s Position on the Political Solution to the Ukrainian Crisis”, which took into consideration reasonable solutions for all parties.
It is worth mentioning that China, even before President Xi’s visit to Russia, described the visit as “A Peace Journey”, and after talks between the Chinese and Russian Presidents, a joint statement was signed confirming the peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is complex and its resolution is not easy, but China has at least shown a mediatory position and made efforts to achieve a peaceful end.
And now, the world sees China as a country that promotes world peace, which is what Chinese diplomacy wants for the form of China’s foreign relations. In fact, this is exactly what increased the importance and gains of the Chinese President’s visit to Russia.