Ukrainian forces capture Chinese soldiers: Beijing issues new statement
Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian (Getty Images)
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made a new statement regarding the capture of their citizens by Ukrainian forces on the front lines in Ukraine. The comment by Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian marks the second such statement in recent days.
"I would like to emphasize again that China is neither the creator nor a party to the Ukrainian 'crisis' (as China refers to Russia's war against Ukraine - ed.)," Lin Jian said.
According to the Chinese spokesperson, his country is a firm supporter and an active advocate for a peaceful resolution to the "crisis."
"The Chinese government has always required its citizens to stay away from conflict zones, avoid participation in armed conflicts in any form, and especially avoid participation in military operations by any of the parties," Lin Jian reminded.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also advised "the interested parties to properly and clearly understand China's role and refrain from irresponsible remarks."
Ukrainian armed forces capture Chinese soldiers fighting for Russia
On April 8, Ukrainian forces captured Chinese soldiers in the Donetsk region. Six Chinese citizens, who fought alongside the Russians, went into battle against the Ukrainian forces near the settlements of Tarasivka and Bilohorivka. Two of them were taken prisoner.
On April 9, the first reaction from Beijing to the capture of their citizens on the front lines in Ukraine appeared. On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Ukrainian intelligence had data on more than 150 Chinese nationals fighting for Russia, though the number could be higher.
Moreover, Zelenskyy stated that the involvement of Chinese citizens, in addition to North Korean soldiers, in this war "certainly exacerbates the problem." In his opinion, such matters must be addressed absolutely decisively.
