Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military operation on Ukraine earlier on Thursday, China openly supported Russia in this crisis.
On Thursday, 24 February Russian President launched a military operation in Ukraine and conducted a series of attacks in the country. China’s involvement in this ongoing crisis is a topic of discussion worldwide.
When the U.S. and European countries imposed sanctions on Russia regarding the increasing tension on the Russia-Ukraine border, China criticized the U.S. over its actions.
But it soon changed its stance in the crisis. In this regard, Chinese Foreign Ministry Official Hua Chunying commented that there is no need for China to back a “powerful nation” like Russia. China is saddened by what happened in Ukraine. The question that arises in this situation is about the importance of China in the Ukraine Crisis.
China and Ukraine’s partnership has been a rather long one. Few people know that China acquired the Leoning, its first aircraft carrier, from Ukraine. China also receives jet engine engines for its warships and rocket engines for airplanes from Ukraine.
China also has been Russia’s and Ukraine’s critical raw material suppliers. In this context, Ukraine is also collaborating with China on several different projects concerning the development of ports and railways under the Belt and Road Initiative.
China’s diplomatic and financial relationship with Russia has also grown in the last few years. In 2021 alone, China and Russia were engaged in a trade of 140 billion dollars. Russia alone accounts for 70 percent of oil and natural gas exports.
This is because both countries consider America an existential threat. But with the fast development of the crisis, China has to choose a side soon, and with the ongoing Moscow-Beijing partnership, the world is still awaiting the answer in this regard.
Edited by: Mahi Gupta
Published by: Vishakha Verma
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