STRATEGIC WAR DANGER

China’s Views on the Origin and Resolution of Ukraine Crisis

March 17 2022 (EIRNS)—Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian had multiple opportunities to respond to questions about China’s views on the Ukraine situation during the March 17 press conference of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When asked to comment on claims attributed by Bloomberg to the former chief of Britain’s intelligence service “that only Xi Jinping can influence Putin and stop the war in Ukraine,” Zhao responded: “It takes the one who started the issue to resolve it. I want to stress that those who caused the Ukraine crisis should reflect on the roles they have played ... instead of shifting the blame to others.”

He elaborated in a later exchange with British news agency Reuters: “International media lately mentioned many times that George Kennan, former U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union, suggested to the U.S. government in the 1990s that expanding NATO up to Russia’s borders would be the most fateful error of American policy.... The U.S. decision on NATO’s Eastward expansion is directly linked to the Ukraine crisis now. I read a report the other day that Tulsi Gabbard, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, said the crisis could have been ended and the war easily avoided if the U.S. had simply promised not to accept Ukraine’s becoming a member of NATO. But they chose not to do so.... The key to solving the Ukraine crisis is in the hands of the U.S. and NATO.”

In a previous exchange with Reuters, Zhao remarked: “I have a few questions for you to ponder. The U.S. claimed to defend peace by working on NATO’s five waves of Eastward expansion. Is peace achieved? It said this was to prevent war in Europe. Is war averted? It advertised its commitment to a peaceful settlement of the crisis. But from providing military aid to beefing up military deterrence, did it do anything good for peace?

“China always independently decides its position and policies based on the merit of the matter itself. We welcome all diplomatic efforts conducive to the political settlement of the Ukraine issue, and support Russia and Ukraine in conducting dialogue and negotiation to seek a political settlement that accommodates both sides’ legitimate concerns and is good for lasting stability and security in Europe. China will continue to play a constructive role in seeking and achieving peace and development.”

China News Service, Beijing, March 18 2022 (Zhang Su, Xie Yanbing) states that Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Zhao Lijian, hosted a regular press conference on March 18.

A reporter asked: US State Department Spokesperson Price said that the US is concerned about Russia's attack on Ukraine's infrastructure and civilian casualties. However, the Chinese side has not clearly stated its position. How does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs view the outside world's criticism of China?

Zhao Lijian replied: Human life is precious. Whatever the circumstances, civilian casualties are always distressing and deplorable. China has been calling for every effort to avoid civilian casualties.

Everyone still remembers that in March 1999, without the authorization of the Security Council, the US-led NATO flagrantly carried out continuous bombing on the Yugoslavia for 78 days. The bombing killed at least 2,500 innocent civilians and injured about 10,000 people, including Most are civilians.

Over the past 20 years, the United States has launched tens of thousands of airstrikes in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia and other places, killing at least 22,000 innocent civilians, and as many as 48,000.

While the U.S. cares about the Ukrainian people, should the U.S. first express its concern about the civilian casualties in the above-mentioned military operations?

China has always upheld an objective and fair position on the Ukraine issue. Since the conflict broke out, China has been committed to promoting peace and talks with concrete actions. China's just stance and constructive efforts are obvious to all, and have won the understanding and support of the international community, especially the vast number of developing countries.

China has provided Ukraine with urgently needed humanitarian supplies such as food, children's milk powder, sleeping bags, quilts, and moisture-proof mats.

The U.S. side provided lethal weapons.

On March 16, the U.S. announced an additional $800 million in weapons assistance to Ukraine. This week, the total amount of U.S. arms assistance to Ukraine reached $1 billion. The latest weapons and equipment provided by the United States to Ukraine include 800 sets of air defence systems, 9,000 sets of portable, high-precision anti-armour systems, 7,000 pieces of small arms such as machine guns and grenade launchers, and 20 million rounds of artillery shells and bullets.

Will the latest US aid bring stability and security, or will it cause more civilian casualties?

For Ukrainian civilians, do they need more food and sleeping bags, or machine guns and shells?

It is not difficult for people with a little rationality and common sense to make correct judgments.