China committed to ‘peacemaker’ role, including on Ukraine, Xiangshan defence forum hears

Pledge from Chinese foreign vice-minister Chen Xiaodong comes as analyst voices optimism about next direct talks between Xi and Zelensky

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Chinese foreign vice-minister Chen Xiaodong addresses the 11th Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Saturday. Photo: Amber Wang

Published: 6:00pm, 14 Sep 2024Updated: 8:24pm, 14 Sep 2024

China will “continue to act as a mediator and promote the political resolution of hotspot issues”, including the Ukraine war, a senior Chinese diplomat has said.

The remarks from Chinese foreign vice-minister Chen Xiaodong at a premier annual security forum in Beijing came as a noted analyst voiced optimism about the next direct contact between the leaders of China and Ukraine.

Addressing the 11th Xiangshan Forum on Saturday, Chen said: “On the Ukraine crisis, we will continue in-depth communication with all parties concerned to build consensus for ending the conflict and pave the way for peace talks.”

China has positioned itself as a peacemaker and presented itself as neutral in the Ukraine war, which entered its third year in February. However, Beijing’s close ties with Moscow and reluctance to publicly condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions in the former Soviet state have drawn criticism from the West.

According to Cui Hongjian, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University, Russia and Ukraine are approaching a stage where a political solution could emerge, and China is ready to do “anything that contributes to peace”.

“I don’t believe Russia has the capacity to sustain the conflict, and Ukraine is in a similar position – perhaps even a worse one … this could be a critical moment to turn towards peace,” Cui, a leading Chinese analyst specialising in European affairs, said in an interview with the Post on the sidelines of the Beijing forum.