Beijing denies double standards in its response to wars in Iran and Ukraine
Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning (Getty Images)
China claims that in all international military conflicts, it advocates protecting civilians and resolving differences through negotiations, according to a statement by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning during a briefing.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson was asked whether the differences in China’s responses to events in Iran and Russia’s war against Ukraine reflect double standards in Beijing’s foreign policy.
"What you said is not true. It is China’s consistent position to resolve differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation, not resort to the use of force arbitrarily, and protect civilians in military conflicts," Mao Ning said.
At the same time, the spokesperson called for focusing on the four principles proposed by China’s leader, Xi Jinping, for resolving the Russia-Ukraine war.
These include respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, adherence to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously, and supporting efforts toward a peaceful settlement.
"On the Ukraine crisis, President Xi Jinping laid out four points about what should be done. Most recently, he further outlined a three-point proposition. China released a position document on this issue as well. All of them fully reflect China’s position, which you may refer to,” Mao Ning added.
China’s position on the wars in Ukraine and Iran
China maintains a neutral stance on Russia’s war against Ukraine, publicly avoiding naming the aggressor and the victim and not condemning Russia’s demonstrative violations of international rules and war crimes in Ukraine.
The US Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, said that China plays a decisive role in supporting Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. According to him, Beijing could end the war with just one phone call to Moscow.
Notably, the head of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), Richard Moore, recently said that China has provided Russia with the most substantial support in the war it launched against Ukraine. He emphasized that the continuation of the war is largely due to assistance from China, which is still being delivered.
Meanwhile, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated that Beijing is not interested in ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
In response, China said that since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it has supported peace negotiations and claims to be making efforts to stop the war.
At the same time, China has strongly opposed the war in the Middle East.
Beijing even sent a special envoy to the Middle East to mediate the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran in an attempt to prevent further escalation in the region.
