China Backs Russia On Ukraine Crisis, Rebuking US and Nato

Remarks By China Foreign Min Is Beijing’s Most Explicit Support For Moscow

China’s foreign ministercalled on Thursday for apeaceful resolution to the political crisis over Ukraine but chided the US and Nato, saying that Russia’s “reasonable security concerns should be taken seriously”. The remarks by the minister, Wang Yi, were Beijing’s most explicit so far in support of Russia’s position in the confrontation and reflected the deepening ties between the countries, especially in opposition to the US on security matters.

“Regional security cannot be guaranteed by strengthening or even expanding military blocs,” Wang said, according to a foreign ministry statement released after he spoke by telephone with US secretary of state Antony Blinken. Wang’s remarks echoed the messaging of President Putin, who has warned that Nato’s support for Ukraine threatened Russia’s security. Since Putin ordered a huge buildup of Russian forces near Ukraine’s borders, China has remained relatively muted about the crisis, mainly calling for a negotiated settlement.