Chinese FM urges political settlement of Ukraine crisis in talks with Ukrainian counterpart

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, July 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
GUANGZHOU, July 24 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis and the healthy and steady development of China-Ukraine relations on Wednesday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks when holding talks with visiting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Guangzhou.
POLITICAL SETTLEMENT OF UKRAINE CRISIS
Noting that the Ukraine crisis has entered its third year and the conflict is still ongoing with risks of escalation and spillover, Wang said China is firmly committed to promoting a political settlement of the crisis, and the four principles laid out by President Xi Jinping form China’s fundamental approach to solving the crisis.
On this basis, Wang said, China and Brazil have jointly issued six common understandings for a political resolution to the crisis, including three principles for managing the conflict, three elements for a peace plan, three humanitarian concerns, as well as important measures to prevent nuclear risks and ensure the stability of industrial and supply chains.
This consensus has garnered widespread support and response from the international community, Wang added.
China believes that all conflicts have to end at the negotiating table, and all disputes must be resolved through political means, Wang said, adding that recently both Ukraine and Russia have shown willingness for negotiations.
“Although the conditions and timing are not yet ripe, we support all efforts conducive to peace and stand ready to continue to play a constructive role for a ceasefire and resumption of peace talks,” he said, adding that China is closely following the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the country.
Kuleba said Ukraine highly appreciates China’s positive and constructive role in promoting peace and maintaining international order.
The Ukrainian side attaches importance to China’s opinions and has carefully studied the six common understandings jointly outlined by China and Brazil for a political resolution of the crisis, he said.
The Ukrainian side is willing and ready to conduct dialogue and negotiation with Russia, Kuleba said, adding that negotiations should be rational, substantive and aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace.
SOUND, STEADY DEVELOPMENT OF TIES
China and Ukraine are friendly countries, with their strategic partnership established more than a decade ago, said Wang, adding that the two countries have treated each other with mutual respect and equality, and steadily advanced mutually beneficial cooperation.
He said the two heads of state have stressed the need to view and develop bilateral relations from a long-term perspective and push forward China-Ukraine relations and bilateral cooperation.
Wang called on the two countries to maintain communication and exchanges, enhance mutual trust, carry forward the traditional friendship, promote people-to-people relations and advance the sound and steady development of relations.
Noting that China is a great country, Kuleba said Ukraine and China are not only strategic partners but also important economic and trade partners. The Ukrainian side supports China’s position on the Taiwan question and will continue to adhere to the one-China policy.
STRENGTHENING PRACTICAL COOPERATION
Noting that the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has started a new round of deepening reform comprehensively, Wang said China’s comprehensive promotion of Chinese modernization will bring new opportunities to people of all countries.
Ukraine was one of the first countries to support and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, and China has been Ukraine’s largest trading partner and the biggest export destination for Ukrainian agricultural products in recent years, Wang said. In the first half of 2024, bilateral trade recorded a momentum of rapid growth, showing the space and potential of bilateral cooperation.
The two sides should leverage the role of bilateral cooperation mechanisms and strengthen practical cooperation in various fields, he said, adding that China will continue to expand grain imports from Ukraine and jointly maintain smooth logistics channels and international food security.
Wang thanked the Ukrainian side for assisting with the evacuation of Chinese citizens, especially students, in the early stage of the conflict in Ukraine, and expressed the hope that Ukraine will continue to take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in Ukraine.
Kuleba said Ukraine hopes to work with China to implement the important consensus reached between their heads of state, consolidate political mutual trust, activate cooperation in various fields including economy, trade and agriculture, and strengthen exchanges between the two countries’ sister cities. ■