China warns Kiev makes “irresponsible” remarks after claiming Chinese fighter jets
Beijing (Reuters) – China reiterated its support in Ukraine’s peace efforts on Thursday and said that the parties involved should avoid “irresponsible remarks”, apparently in the clear jab of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s comments on Chinese citizens’ fighting for Russia.
Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that Ukrainian intelligence companies had information about the battle between 155 Chinese citizens in Ukraine. He spoke after he occupied two Chinese nationals in eastern Ukraine and spoke that the Russian army had been advancing.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Ji’an said: “I would like to reiterate that China is not the initiator of the Ukrainian crisis, nor is China participating in the party. We are a staunch supporter and active promoter of the peaceful resolution of the crisis.”
“We urge all parties concerned to be right and sober and understand China’s role and not to make irresponsible remarks,” he said at a regular press conference.
China announced a “unlimited” partnership with Russia, and he tried to position himself as an actor in an attempt to negotiate the end of the war. It avoids criticizing Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Zelenskiy said Russia is recruiting Chinese citizens through social media, and Chinese officials are aware of this, and Ukrainian security agencies have compiled a list of assigned names, dates of birth and Russian military forces.
Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that Ukraine is trying to assess whether Chinese recruits are receiving instructions from Beijing.
Reuters was unable to independently verify Zelenskiy’s claims, and China saw it as “founded” on Wednesday.
Spokesperson Lin reiterated that the Chinese government has always asked its citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict, especially to avoid participating in military operations on either side.
Zelenskiy condemned the “second mistake” of Chinese nationals in the war, in addition to what Ukraine and Western countries are saying is sending more than 11,000 North Korean troops to the Kursk region of Russia.
Russia has no public comment on Zelenskiy’s statement about Chinese fighters, nor has it clearly confirmed the deployment of North Korean troops in its Kursk region.
(Reported by Colleen Howe and Beijing News Editorial Office; Editor of Gareth Jones)
