BEIJING (Realist English). On February 24, the anniversary of the beginning of the special military operation of the Russian Federation in the Ukraine, the Chinese government published a document on the peaceful settlement, called “China’s position on a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis.” In the 12 points outlined, Beijing proposes to stop the fighting and find a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
1. To espect the sovereignty of all countries.
“Recognized international laws, including the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, must be strictly observed. The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries must be effectively guaranteed. All countries are equal, regardless of their size, strength or wealth. All parties should jointly defend the basic norms governing international relations and defend international justice. International law should be applied equally and uniformly, without applying double standards.”
2. To abandon the mentality of the Cold War.
“The security of one country cannot be achieved at the expense of the security of other countries, and regional security cannot be ensured by strengthening or even expanding military blocs. The legitimate security interests and concerns of all countries should be taken seriously and duly taken into account. Complex problems don’t have simple solutions.”
3. To cease fire and hostilities.
“There are no winners in armed conflicts. All parties should maintain rationality and restraint, not add fuel to the fire, not escalate conflicts, not allow further aggravation or even exit the Ukrainian crisis out-of-control. We should support the meeting of representatives of Russia and the Ukraine, resume direct dialogue as soon as possible, gradually contribute to de-escalation and mitigation of the situation and, finally, achieve a comprehensive ceasefire.”
4. To start peace negotiations.
“Dialogue and negotiations are the only real way out of the Ukrainian crisis. All efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully should be encouraged and supported.”
5. To resolve the humanitarian crisis.
“All measures that contribute to mitigating the consequences of humanitarian crises should be encouraged and supported. Humanitarian actions must comply with the principles of neutrality and impartiality and not allow politicization of humanitarian issues. Effectively protect the safety of civilians and create humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians from combat zones… To support the coordinating role of the UN in humanitarian assistance in conflict zones.”
6. To protect civilians and prisoners of war.
“The parties to the conflict must strictly observe international humanitarian law, refrain from attacks on civilians and civilian objects, protect women, children and other victims of the conflict, and respect the fundamental rights of prisoners of war. China supports the exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and the Ukraine, and all parties should create more favorable conditions for this.”
7. To maintain the safety of nuclear power plants.
“To resist armed attacks on such peaceful nuclear facilities as nuclear power plants. We call on all parties to comply with the conventions on nuclear safety and other international laws and resolutely avoid man-made nuclear accidents. To support the constructive role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in promoting the safety and protection of peaceful nuclear installations.”
8. To reduce strategic risks.
“Nuclear weapons cannot be used, and nuclear war cannot be waged. It is necessary to counteract the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. To prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and avoid a nuclear crisis. We oppose the development and use of biological and chemical weapons by any country under any circumstances.”
9. To guarantee the export of grain.
“All parties should implement the Black Sea grain transportation agreement signed by Russia, Turkey, the Ukraine and the United Nations in a balanced, comprehensive and effective manner and support the important role of the United Nations in this regard. The initiative of international cooperation in the field of food security proposed by China provides a real solution to the global food crisis.”
10. Lift unilateral sanctions.
“Unilateral sanctions and growing pressure will not only not solve the problems, but will also create new ones. Any unilateral sanctions not authorized by the Security Council should be opposed. The relevant countries should stop abusing unilateral sanctions and “long-arm jurisdiction” against other countries, play their role in cooling the crisis in the Ukraine and create conditions for the development of developing countries’ economies and improving people’s living conditions.”
11. Ensure the stability of production and supply chains.
“All parties must seriously defend the existing world economic system and resist politicization, instrumentalization and militarization of the world economy. Joint efforts should mitigate the side effects of the crisis and prevent the disruption of international cooperation in the fields of energy, finance, grain trade, transport and other cooperation and damage the recovery of the global economy.”
12. To promote post-war reconstruction.
“The international community should take measures to support post-war reconstruction in conflict zones. China is ready to help and play a constructive role in this regard.”
BEIJING (Realist English). On February 24, the anniversary of the beginning of the special military operation of the Russian Federation in the Ukraine, the Chinese government published a document on the peaceful settlement, called “China’s position on a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis.” In the 12 points outlined, Beijing proposes to stop the fighting and find a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
1. To espect the sovereignty of all countries.
“Recognized international laws, including the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, must be strictly observed. The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries must be effectively guaranteed. All countries are equal, regardless of their size, strength or wealth. All parties should jointly defend the basic norms governing international relations and defend international justice. International law should be applied equally and uniformly, without applying double standards.”
2. To abandon the mentality of the Cold War.
“The security of one country cannot be achieved at the expense of the security of other countries, and regional security cannot be ensured by strengthening or even expanding military blocs. The legitimate security interests and concerns of all countries should be taken seriously and duly taken into account. Complex problems don’t have simple solutions.”
3. To cease fire and hostilities.
“There are no winners in armed conflicts. All parties should maintain rationality and restraint, not add fuel to the fire, not escalate conflicts, not allow further aggravation or even exit the Ukrainian crisis out-of-control. We should support the meeting of representatives of Russia and the Ukraine, resume direct dialogue as soon as possible, gradually contribute to de-escalation and mitigation of the situation and, finally, achieve a comprehensive ceasefire.”
4. To start peace negotiations.
“Dialogue and negotiations are the only real way out of the Ukrainian crisis. All efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully should be encouraged and supported.”
5. To resolve the humanitarian crisis.
“All measures that contribute to mitigating the consequences of humanitarian crises should be encouraged and supported. Humanitarian actions must comply with the principles of neutrality and impartiality and not allow politicization of humanitarian issues. Effectively protect the safety of civilians and create humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians from combat zones… To support the coordinating role of the UN in humanitarian assistance in conflict zones.”
6. To protect civilians and prisoners of war.
“The parties to the conflict must strictly observe international humanitarian law, refrain from attacks on civilians and civilian objects, protect women, children and other victims of the conflict, and respect the fundamental rights of prisoners of war. China supports the exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and the Ukraine, and all parties should create more favorable conditions for this.”
7. To maintain the safety of nuclear power plants.
“To resist armed attacks on such peaceful nuclear facilities as nuclear power plants. We call on all parties to comply with the conventions on nuclear safety and other international laws and resolutely avoid man-made nuclear accidents. To support the constructive role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in promoting the safety and protection of peaceful nuclear installations.”
8. To reduce strategic risks.
“Nuclear weapons cannot be used, and nuclear war cannot be waged. It is necessary to counteract the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. To prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and avoid a nuclear crisis. We oppose the development and use of biological and chemical weapons by any country under any circumstances.”
9. To guarantee the export of grain.
“All parties should implement the Black Sea grain transportation agreement signed by Russia, Turkey, the Ukraine and the United Nations in a balanced, comprehensive and effective manner and support the important role of the United Nations in this regard. The initiative of international cooperation in the field of food security proposed by China provides a real solution to the global food crisis.”
10. Lift unilateral sanctions.
“Unilateral sanctions and growing pressure will not only not solve the problems, but will also create new ones. Any unilateral sanctions not authorized by the Security Council should be opposed. The relevant countries should stop abusing unilateral sanctions and “long-arm jurisdiction” against other countries, play their role in cooling the crisis in the Ukraine and create conditions for the development of developing countries’ economies and improving people’s living conditions.”
11. Ensure the stability of production and supply chains.
“All parties must seriously defend the existing world economic system and resist politicization, instrumentalization and militarization of the world economy. Joint efforts should mitigate the side effects of the crisis and prevent the disruption of international cooperation in the fields of energy, finance, grain trade, transport and other cooperation and damage the recovery of the global economy.”
12. To promote post-war reconstruction.
“The international community should take measures to support post-war reconstruction in conflict zones. China is ready to help and play a constructive role in this regard.”
