China has voiced strong support for international efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict through diplomacy, including newly proposed U.S.-Russia negotiations. Fu Cong, China's permanent UN representative, emphasized Beijing's commitment to dialogue as the 'only viable path' during a Security Council briefing on Monday.
Learning from Past Failures
Fu highlighted the Minsk Agreements – a 2014 peace roadmap for eastern Ukraine endorsed by the UN – as a cautionary tale. 'Their failure to achieve de-escalation shows the consequences of unmet commitments,' he stated, calling for reflection on this 'deplorable' outcome that preceded the current escalation.
China's Four-Point Proposal
Reiterating Beijing's core principles, Fu outlined China's approach:
1. Respect for all nations' sovereignty and territorial integrity
2. Adherence to the UN Charter
3. Recognition of states' security concerns
4. Support for all peacebuilding initiatives
'Our proposal reflects international consensus and offers practical solutions,' Fu asserted, noting China's ongoing mediation efforts between Moscow and Kyiv.
Global South Collaboration
The ambassador highlighted China's partnership with Brazil in forming the 'Group of Friends for Peace,' harnessing developing nations' perspectives. Over 60% of UN member states from the Global South have engaged with this initiative since its 2023 launch, according to UN data.
Fu concluded with a call for European leadership: 'As the crisis unfolds on European soil, the continent must drive negotiations toward a sustainable security framework.' With peace talks potentially entering a critical phase, China positions itself as a neutral broker advocating multilateral solutions.
Reference(s):
China welcomes Ukraine peace efforts, including U.S.-Russia talks
cgtn.com
