Xi won’t take a position on Ukraine that undermines Putin: Analyst
[ad_1]
China does not want to take a position on Ukraine that could undermine Russia, said Scott Kennedy of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank.
It doesn’t appear that Beijing has provided any military assistance or violated the economic sanctions on Russia, he said.
But they haven’t said no. The U.S. has not said no.Squawk Box Asia” Monday.
President Joe Biden spoke to his counterpart Xi JinpingFast two hours of discussion was held on Friday over the Russian invasion in Ukraine. China will face a backlash and other “consequences,” if it supports Russia’s war against Ukraine, he warned.
Kennedy explained that Kennedy believed that this meant that they will continue to view China with an argument that wasn’t necessary except that Xi Jinping cannot stomach doing something that could make Putin look bad.
China policy: “Clear as muddy waters”
On Saturday, China’s state media reported that Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China is on the right side of history with regard to the Ukraine crisis — and time will prove it.
Wang declared, “We’ve always stood for peace and against war.” according to CGTN News.
Beijing will assess the situation objectively and fairly, he said.
Wang declared, “We won’t accept any pressure from the outside.”
Wang Yi, foreign minister, stated that China’s policy was as transparent and clear as possible. Kennedy stated that it’s clearer than muddy water. “What they really need to do — is take a firm position on this.”
He suggested that China use its influence to pressure Russia to withdraw or accept a ceasefire.
He said that the Chinese were in an “absolute bind” because, regardless of what happens in the battlefield, Putin is losing and Russia will lose.
China has so far resisted condemning Russia, however. refused to call Russia’s assault on Ukraine an “invasion.”
Bert Hofman of the East Asian Institute of the National University of Singapore said China has not put much pressure on Russia.
CNBC’s On Monday, he stated that although people believe China might exert some pressure on Russia to help them, this doesn’t seem possible right now.
“Even though they’ve expressed … the willingness to engage on the humanitarian side, the need for peace, but they have not yet made the extra step to actually create the circumstances for that,” he noted.
Tensions between the U.S. and China
The weekend was a busy one for political consultancy Eurasia Group. They stated that tensions between the U.S. and China will continue to rise but would be reduced if diplomatic contacts were maintained.
It added that U.S. officials are deeply frustrated with China’s position and believe Beijing has “actively ignored U.S. entreaties and warnings — and it remains to be seen if the direct message from Biden will alter this.”
China may not provide military support but Russia is becoming more worried about its economic prospects, analysts at the company said.
They also stated that Xi preferred working more closely with Europe on the Ukraine conflict.
According to them, a crucial watchpoint would be if “Xi engages European officials in the coming days,” which seems likely. It would also indicate Beijing’s willingness to separate U.S.-China relations and efforts at defusing the crisis.
[ad_2]