Opinion | Ukraine war: China must go beyond rhetoric to emerge as a peacemaker

For more than a week last month, Li Hui, Chinese special envoy for Eurasian affairs, travelled through Europe in a second attempt at Chinese shuttle diplomacy. This follows Beijing’s announcement of its support for and participation in a peace conference. Switzerland plans to convene such a conference in the near future.

However, despite its efforts, Beijing has been unable to position itself as a credible mediator in the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war. Given China’s “no limits” partnership with Russia, Beijing’s advocacy for a peace conference potentially hosted by Switzerland can be understood as strategic posturing rather than a credible commitment to resolving the war.

China clearly wishes to develop an image as a peacemaker and global mediator. Most Western countries, however, fail to see how what some have called China’s “pro-Russian neutrality” and its strong support of Moscow could possibly enable it to mediate in the war. China has continued to prop up Russia’s sanctions-hit economy. In 2023, China bought significant and increasing amounts of oil and gas and delivered urgently required dual-use products to Russia, including drones, semiconductors and spare parts.

Since the introduction of the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, Beijing has been taking part in more multilateral dialogues. During the last decade, China has, in fact, attempted to act as a mediator in conflict areas on several occasions, such as in Afghanistan, Myanmar and South Sudan, but with only very limited success.

On Ukraine, Beijing’s 12-point-peace plan has been dismissed by the US and most Nato members as largely siding with Russia.

As part of this plan, Beijing envisioned not only the ceasing of hostilities and resolving the devastating humanitarian crisis, but also the large-scale lifting of sanctions on Russia. While Russian President Vladimir Putin formally welcomed China’s 2023 peace plan, Moscow has yet to engage with the proposal in any practical way, despite its close ties with Beijing. This, however, has not stopped Beijing from trying again.