Munich.
China’s top foreign policy leader Wang Yi announces a peace plan at the Munich Security Conference. But Kamala Harris warns.
Is China struggling to become the great mediator in the Ukraine war? There is brief hope on the second day of the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. “The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected,” said Wang Yi, China’s top foreign policy maker. “Interfering in the internal affairs of other countries violates the norms of international relations.”
It sounds as if Beijing is criticizing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But then comes the addition: “Legitimate security interests must also be safeguarded.” Moscow justified the invasion of Ukraine by saying that its own “security interests” were threatened by NATO. It is also striking that Wang describes the war in Ukraine as a “crisis” – a trivialization in view of the fierce fighting.
Munich Security Conference: “We don’t want to pour oil on the fire”
China will soon present a position paper on resolving the conflict, Wang announced. “We don’t want to pour oil on the fire, we want to facilitate peace talks,” emphasizes Wang. Moscow and Kiev should talk to each other.
Ukraine Crisis – The most important news about the war
At the meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on Friday, Wang had already announced the plan. Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) praises China’s announced peace initiative, but at the same time rules out any cession of territory to Russia. It is doubtful that Wang will have a moderating effect on the Kremlin leadership during his visit to Moscow.
China’s relations with Russia are ambiguous. You could call it “pro-Russian neutrality.” On the one hand, like Moscow, Beijing sees itself in a confrontation with the West, which both accuse of political, military and economic hegemony. On the other hand, there are always moments when China’s President Xi Jinping distances himself from Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine War: XI draws red lines
For example, Xi distanced himself from Putin’s repeated threats that nuclear weapons might be used in the Ukraine war. At the G20 summit in Bali in mid-November, all states except Russia signed the final declaration that the use of nuclear weapons was taboo.
Xi had already drawn red lines during Chancellor Scholz’s visit in early November. In conversation with Scholz, China’s head of state emphasized that the international community must “jointly reject the use of and the threat of nuclear weapons”. A clear sign to Moscow that Beijing wants to avoid a nuclear escalation at all costs.
At a meeting just ahead of the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics in early February, Putin and Xi demonstrated amicable harmony. Both swore their “rock-solid friendship” and concluded an agreement on “boundless partnership”.
Ukraine war – background and explanations for the conflict
China has never condemned Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, nor has it backed Western sanctions. The People’s Republic does not find it inconvenient that Americans and Europeans are investing a lot of money in energy and in supporting Ukraine. The power-political calculus: This will prevent the West from becoming more involved in Southeast Asia. The strong US military presence in the Pacific is a thorn in the side of the leadership in Beijing. The People’s Republic warns of a “Natoization” of the region on their doorstep.
China was particularly annoyed by President Joe Biden’s announcement that he would defend Taiwan in the event of an attack. Beijing regards the democratic island republic as a “breakaway province” which, if necessary, could be forcibly united with mainland China.
Kamala Harris sends out strong warning
In Munich, Wang reiterated his country’s hard-edged position: “Taiwan has never been an independent country, and it won’t be in the future either.” He fired several rhetorical broadsides against the USA. For example, he sharply criticized the shooting down of a suspected Chinese spy balloon by US forces. “I would say that’s absurd and hysterical,” he says. “This is a 100% abuse of the use of force. It is a violation of international rules.” Several times he taunts “the Cold War mentality” and “bloc thinking” in the West.
It is unlikely that the superpowers in the Ukraine war and other conflict issues will come together. This also becomes clear when the American Vice President Kamala Harris appears in Munich. “The United States has a great strategic interest: no country is safe in a world where one country can violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of another country,” she says, to strong applause.
Harris warns that the Ukraine war must not become the blueprint for authoritarian regimes. “If Putin succeeds, other authoritarian powers may try to follow his lead. The international rules-based order must be upheld.” America is concerned that “Beijing has deepened its relationship with Moscow since the beginning of the war.” At the same time, she warns the People’s Republic against supplying weapons to Russia.
Harris announces that the United States’ commitment to Kiev remains unbroken: “The United States will support Ukraine as long as it is necessary.” And she sings the praises of the transatlantic alliance. “The United States is proud to be your partner in this noble quest.”
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