The timing of Russia and China’s partnership has raised questions about what China’s government knew about the invasion. According to some analysts and US officials, Beijing was likely aware of Russia’s plans for Ukraine, but not the extent of them, and was caught off guard. Beijing strongly denies this. According to the Washington Post, China’s ambassador to the US stated on Wednesday that any claims that China “knew about, acquiesced to, or tacitly supported this war are purely disinformation.”
On February 25, China abstained from voting on a UN Security Council resolution condemning Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, which was one of the first signs that the partnership might have limits. Russia used its veto power to block the resolution, but Western officials interpreted China’s decision not to actively support the veto as a positive sign.
According to Dr Courtney J Fung, an associate professor at Macquarie University and an associate fellow at Chatham House, China wants to be recognized as a responsible major country, but only when it comes to the invasion of Ukraine.
. “China focuses on second-order issues resulting from the Russian invasion – such as humanitarian aid, civilian protection, and evacuation – and while these are obviously important concerns, China is avoiding efforts to mediate or resolve the crisis itself.”
