Perspectives from China on the Ukraine Crisis and Its Regional and Global Impact
Yalin Xin, PhD, is associate professor of intercultural studies at William Carey International University and the Director of WCIU’s Institute of China Studies. His research interest includes Christian renewal and revitalization movements and Christianity in China.
WCIU Journal: Area Studies Topic
April 19, 2022
by Yalin Xin
As the scale of war in Ukraine continues to escalate, reports of casualties and humanitarian disasters are causing global concerns. What is China’s response to the crisis so far? Could China play a constructive role that leads to a ceasefire?
China’s Stand on the Sovereignty of Nations
In a call with Russian leader Putin the day after Russia invaded Ukraine, China’s President Xi Jinping said he supported solving the Ukraine crisis through talks, “the “situation in eastern Ukraine has undergone rapid changes … [and] China supports Russia and Ukraine to resolve the issue through negotiation”. Xi noted that “It is important to reject Cold War mentality, take seriously and respect the reasonable security concerns of all countries and reach a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism through negotiation… China has long held the basic position of respecting all countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, and abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China is prepared to work with other members of the international community to promote common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and to resolutely safeguard the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law” (fmprc.gov.cn; cf. aljazeera.com).
China’s Potential Role as a Mediator
Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, on March 2, in which Ukraine sought China’s mediation in achieving a ceasefire. Wang Yi said that “China laments the outbreak of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and is extremely concerned with the harm to civilians…China always upholds respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries,” and called on Ukraine and Russia to “find a solution to the issue through negotiations.” China supports “all constructive international effort conducive to political settlement” (ecns.cn; cf. fortune.com; theguardian.com).
Wang told Kuleba the urgent task was to “ease the situation to prevent the conflict from escalating or even getting out of control, especially to prevent harm to civilians, and to ensure the safe and timely access of humanitarian aid. He also advised that Ukraine also “assume corresponding international responsibilities” (ecns.cn).
Recognizing the Multifaceted Nature of the Conflicts
AcAccording to CCG (Center for China and Globalization) publication, Director Dr. Huiyao Wang, in his interview with reporters, highlighted the many factors rooted in the history and political and economic development of the region are in play in the current crisis. He mentioned how in recent years “China has been busy participating in and establishing regional economic cooperation mechanisms, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, RCEP, China-Africa Cooperation Mechanism, and applying to join CPTPP, DEPA, etc., while the United States and other Western countries are busy with NATO's eastward expansion, the establishment of the Oaks Security Alliance, the Indo-Pacific Security Alliance and etc” (ccg.org.cn). Dr. Wang alluded that China could potentially play a mediating role in the conflict, as well as global development and peace, but the deteriorating relationship between China and the US seems to stand in the way. He proposed the need to revisit the “strategic wisdom” of former president Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in their effort in normalizing U.S.-China relations 50 years ago.
The Impact of the Crisis in Ukraine on Global Supply Chains and China’s Economy
March 17, 2022, three weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Think Tank of Globalization (CCG) published its first research report on “The impact of the Ukraine Crisis on Global Supply Chains and the Chinese Economy”, in which it analyzed the shock on “global stock markets, foreign exchange markets, food and commodities” and how it affected the Chinese economy. The report provides insightful research data and analysis, points out the extremely difficult situation at the center of the crisis, and makes constructive and concrete recommendations how China could play a role of peace-making given its unique position in its relationships with Ukraine, Russia, and the E.U. Here are some interesting points from the report that serve as food for thought and prayer. Note the report’s constructive suggestions for China in face of the impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the challenges of geopolitics:
• It is going to be difficult to address the root problems of the Ukraine crisis, given the structural contradiction between Russia and NATO with U.S. dominance. The end of Russian-Ukraine conflict may see further strengthening of NATO status and U.S. control of Europe.
• China will be affected by the war, primarily in terms of energy prices, manufacturing and supply chains, secondary sanctions on Chinese enterprises due to U.S. and European sanctions against Russia, disruptions in China-Europe railway express, but will remain resilient and maintain growth.
• The West’s radical sanctions against Russian could serve as precedent and policy references in the event of a possible deterioration in U.S.-China relations.
• Turning crisis into opportunity – constructive suggestions for China
1. Promote peace, through communication with EU countries and strive to form a mechanism for multi-party talks within the framework of the United Nations.
2. Restart the China-EU Investment Agreement, strengthen China-EU cooperation in renewable energy, green environment and digital economy, and build connections between the Belt and Road initiative and the EU’s Global Gateway infrastructure initiative.
3. Strengthen dialogue and cooperation with the U.S., and deescalate conflict, and maintain an open and cooperative attitude toward the G7 “Building a Better World” infrastructure initiative (B3W). China should contribute to undoing the deadlock over disagreement on human right accusations from the West by facilitating a visit of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to Xinjiang.
4. Accelerate the upgrading of the relevant laws and regulations in the field of international trade, i.e. adapting to international FTAs such as Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP), developing relations with the Digital Economic partnership Agreement (DEPA), and deepen ties with the Regional Comprehensive Economic partnership Agreement (RCEP). (adapted from CCG Report 2022).
Roots of problems often lie deep in the historical, cultural, sociopolitical systems of the region, and thus constructive approach to address the pervasive problem and restore lasting peace calls for attention to all related spheres. These are obvious different perspectives offered here from political and academic leaders in China, and they should be heeded by global leaders in their effort to resolve the problem. It is imperative that ceasefire is achieved soon for the sake of the people caught in the crisis. For this goal, diversified and multifaceted platforms that may lead to bringing both sides to the table should be facilitated and influence toward it should be engaged.
References
Center for China & Globalization. 2022. “CCG Releases Report on the Impact of the Crisis in Ukraine.” Accessed March 28, 2022. http://en.ccg.org.cn/archives/75426
Center for China & Globalization. 2022. “The Impact of the Crisis in Ukraine on Global Supply Chains
and China’s Economy.” Accessed April 2, 2022. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/cnJzWZZvjVaBqmHRv04Lfw
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202202/t20220225_10645701.html
http://www.ecns.cn/news/2022-03-02/detail-ihawawkt8344625.shtml
https://fortune.com/2022/03/02/china-civilians-harm-russia-invasion-ukraine-war/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/01/china-mediate-ukraine-russia-war
http://www.ecns.cn/news/2022-03-02/detail-ihawawkt8344625.shtml