BEIJING: China will send a special envoy to Ukraine, Russia, and other European countries from Monday, Beijing said on Friday, the highest-ranking Chinese envoy to visit the war-torn country since Moscow’s invasion in 2022.
From Ukraine to the Middle East, Beijing, in recent months, has tried to position itself as a mediator with a leading role in resolving the world’s issues. But while Beijing says it is a neutral party in the Ukraine war.
More than a year into the war, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by phone in April. Beijing then announced that Li Hui — China’s envoy to Russia from 2009 to 2019 — would lead a delegation to Ukraine.
Envoy to visit capitals
China’s foreign ministry spokesman told a regular press briefing on Friday that Li’s visit to Ukraine, France, Germany, Poland, and Russia aimed to “communicate with all sides on the political settlement of the Ukrainian problem.
Li’s visit showed China’s commitment to promoting talks and peace, Wang said, adding that it fully shows that Beijing firmly stands on the side of peace.
China’s foreign minister Qin Gang who is currently in Norway, said of Li’s trip that China was worried about the ongoing situation. It was urging for peace and a political solution.
