- Writing
- BBC News World
One year after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Chinese government, led by Xi Jinping, presented a peace plan to end the armed conflict.
The proposal -published this Friday- occurs after a symbolic meeting between the Russian president Vladimir Putin and the head of Chinese diplomacy, Wang Yilast Wednesday in Moscow.
At the meeting, both countries expressed their interest in deepening their strategic cooperation and reaching new trade agreements this year.
Since the war began, China has become a crucial partner for Russia.
Beijing has absorbed a large part of Russian hydrocarbon exports, thus softening the impact of Western sanctions on the economy of the Eurasian country.
The West has insisted that China help end the conflict since the start of the invasion. The recently presented plan is seen as a sign in that direction.
But what specifically is China proposing with its peace plan? And what has been the reaction of Ukraine and the West to the proposal?
Weapons, sanctions and sovereignty…
The Chinese government’s proposal, released by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, comprises 12 points.
Among Xi Jinping’s greatest concerns is the ceasefire on both sides, avoiding the use of nuclear weapons at all costs, respect for the sovereignty of countries and the end of unilateral sanctions.
Below we detail the 12 proposals:
- Respetar the sovereignty of the all the countries: “The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries must be defended effectively,” the document states.
- Let go of the mindset Gwar Flaugh, where it is requested that “the security of a country should not be sought at the expense of others”.
- And ceasefire on both sides to “prevent the crisis from deteriorating further or even getting out of control.”
- Resumption of peace talks because, they say, “dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solution to the crisis in Ukraine”.
- Solve the humanitarian crisis: on this point, China advocates “the safety of civilians should be effectively protected and humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians from conflict zones should be established.”
- Protection of civilians and prisoners of war: “Parties to the conflict must strictly comply with international humanitarian law, avoid attacking civilians or civilian installations, protect women, children and other victims of the conflict, and respect the basic rights of prisoners of war,” the plan stated.
- Keeping Nuclear Power Plants Safe: “China opposes armed attacks on nuclear power plants or other peaceful nuclear facilities, and calls on all parties to comply with international law, including the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS), and resolutely prevent nuclear accidents caused by man”, says the proposal.
- Do not use nuclear weapons: “Nuclear proliferation must be prevented and a nuclear crisis avoided,” the proposal says. China added its opposition to the research, development and use of chemical and biological weapons “by any country under any circumstances,” the document said.
- Facilitate cereal exports: To achieve this goal, China proposes that “all parties implement the Black Sea Grain Initiative signed by Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UN fully and effectively in a balanced manner.”
- Stop unilateral sanctions: The plan considers that this type of measure “only creates new problems” on the ground.
- Keep industrial and supply chains stableand “oppose the use of the global economy as a tool or weapon for political ends.”
- promotion of reconstruction postconflict.
Skepticism in the West
Ukraine called China’s plan a “good sign.”
However, the Ukrainian chargé d’affaires in Beijing, Zhanna Leshchynska, He added that he hopes the country led by Xi Jinping will be more active in supporting Kiev.
Western leaders, meanwhile, are skeptical of the plan proposed by China.
“We will look at the principles, of course, but we will look at them in the context of China taking sides,” he said. Ursula von der LeyenPresident of the European Commission.
“It is not a peace plan,” he added to the press on a visit to Estonia.
For his part, Jens StoltenbergNATO Secretary General, indicated that “China does not have much credibility because it has not been able to condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine.”
From the United States, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on CNN that China’s proposal should have ended after the first point, which calls for “respect the sovereignty of all countries.”
“The war could end tomorrow if Russia stops attacking Ukraine and withdraws its forces,” he added.
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