Opinion | Ukraine still has a window to boost common ground with China

China is building its image as a peacemaker and mediator in the Russia-Ukraine and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, using familiar tactics and instruments that adhere to its classical foreign policy principles. This peacemaking behaviour serves one primary purpose: to advance its national interests.

“Does peace in Ukraine matter to China?” “What is China’s constructive role in Ukraine?” “What does Putin mean to Chinese President Xi Jinping?” These were the questions I asked during conversations with Chinese colleagues and friends in Beijing. This month, we witnessed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China with a high-level delegation. Ukrainians had a very negative reaction to the visit.

First, Ukraine must win this war. Intellectuals from top Chinese universities are beginning to publicly acknowledge that Russia’s actions cast a negative shadow on China in the global arena. I heard “Glory to Ukraine” from prominent experts at Peking University and Tsinghua University, and a similar sentiment was expressed by a scholar from Fudan University. Liberating around 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory is a challenging task, yet China’s historic victory over the Japanese invaders serves as a poignant example.

Second, Ukraine’s territorial integrity must be respected. China respects Ukrainian sovereignty and has consistently refused to recognise Crimea and other occupied territories as part of Russia. This position is unlikely to change, as Russia’s actions have violated the United Nations Charter.

Third, China’s relationships with Russia and Ukraine are unbalanced. While China maintains friendly relations with both Ukraine and Russia, the influence of Russia is considerably more pronounced. Ukraine has lost significant ground in shaping perceptions within Chinese society, a situation that predated the full-scale invasion. The Ukrainian presence in China is limited.