China, seemingly surprised by sudden Ukraine incursion, denies backing Russian attacks
China on Thursday denied backing Russia’s military assault in Ukraine as it trod a cautious line in response to a conflict that many Chinese analysts just days before were predicting wouldn’t happen.
At a regular briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying downplayed the suggestion that Beijing was supporting Moscow behind the scenes.
“As for American hints that Russia had China backing it up, I’m sure Russia would be pleased to hear it,” Hua said. “We won’t be like America and provide Ukraine a large amount of military equipment. Russia as a powerful nation also does not need China or other countries to provide [military assistance].”
Hua added that “China did not wish to see what happened in Ukraine today.”
In her remarks, Hua called out NATO for owing China a “debt of blood” over the bombing of the Chinese embassy to Yugoslavia by U.S. warplanes in 1999. Bringing up that incident was probably an effort to drum up anti-U.S. sentiment against the backdrop of the Russian attacks on Ukraine. [Continue reading…]