Ukraine crisis linked to NATO expansion, says Chinese ambassador
China's president Xi Jinping met Vladimir Putin in Moscow in March 2023. Its ambassador to Bern says China has good relations with both sides in the Ukraine conflict.
Sputnik
Chinese ambassador to SwitzerlandWang Shihting says the crisis in Ukraine is linked to NATO’s expansion eastwards since the Cold War.
The crisis, which Shihting does not call a war, derives from a “deep historical context” and “complex reasons”, he said in an interview on FridayExternal link with Swiss public broadcaster, RTS.He puts the blame on both sides and defence alliance NATO.
“We believe that the security concerns of all countries must be taken seriously. It is undeniable that the crisis in Ukraine is closely linked to the steady expansion of NATO to the east since the Cold War,” he told RTS. “We hope that the various parties will learn profound lessons from the Ukrainian crisis and seek together, through dialogue, a way to ensure Europe’s long-term security and stability.”
China insists on the sovereignty and integrity of all countries involved in the Ukraine crisis, he told RTS. “We are always on the side of peace and our main mission is to promote peace talks.”
He said China was “disinterested and impartial” and had good relations with both Russia and Ukraine. “Our communication with both countries has always been smooth since the beginning of the crisis,” the diplomat added.
As RTS points out, he did not use the words war or invasion, and China opposes any sanctions against Russia, which it says are counter-productive and do not help peace.
Declining to comment on Switzerland’s position on the Ukraine war, Shihting nevertheless pointed out that Switzerland was applying sanctions on Russia. “I think that any neutral state should ask itself constantly whether what it’s doing is in conformity with its neutrality and really contributes to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine,” he told RTS.
On Thursday, the Chinese embassy in Bern rebuked Switzerland’s parliament for “grossly interfering” in Chinese affairs over a vote to deepen relations with Taiwan.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
Precious archaeological vases and coins returned to Italian museum
This content was published on
The Italian authorities have recovered over 2,500 precious ancient coins, vases and small sculptures that had been illegally dug up and sold in Switzerland, Eurojust announced on Monday.
PrimeEnergy Cleantech declared bankrupt by Swiss authorities
This content was published on
PrimeEnergy Cleantech has been officially declared bankrupt, the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC) reported on Monday.
This content was published on
The consumption of antibiotics has risen in Switzerland since the Covid-19 pandemic. However, compared to other European countries the Alpine country has one of the lowest levels of antibiotic usage.
Swiss financial watchdog foresees greater uncertainty due to geopolitics
This content was published on
The Swiss financial sector will face greater uncertainty due to the numerous geopolitical conflicts around the world, warns the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
China rebukes Swiss parliament over Taiwan vote
This content was published on
The Chinese embassy in Bern has said that the vote this week to deepen relations with Taiwan amounts to a meddling in internal affairs.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.