China won't sell weapons to either side in the war in
Ukraine, the country's foreign minister said Friday, responding to Western
concerns that Beijing could provide military assistance to Russia.
China has maintained that it is neutral in the conflict,
while backing Russia politically, rhetorically and economically at a time when
Western nations have imposed punishing sanctions and sought to isolate Moscow
for its invasion of its neighbor.
Qin Gang is the highest-level Chinese official to make such
an explicit statement about arms sales to Russia. He added that China would
also regulate the export of items with dual civilian and military use.
"Regarding the export of military items, China adopts a
prudent and responsible attitude," Qin said at a news conference alongside
visiting German counterpart Annalena Baerbock. "China will not provide
weapons to relevant parties of the conflict, and manage and control the exports
of dual-use items in accordance with laws and regulations."
The minister also reiterated China's willingness to help
find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
At the same news conference, Qin also blamed Taiwan's
government for heightened regional tensions after Beijing held large-scale
military drills in an attempt to intimidate the island it claims as its own
territory.
In February, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S.
had intelligence suggesting China was considering providing arms and ammunition
to Russia — and warned that such involvement in the Kremlin's war effort would
be a "serious problem."
In recent days, European leaders have issued similar
warnings, even as they visited China, and the European Union's foreign policy
chief lashed out at Beijing, saying its support of Russia during the invasion
was "a blatant violation" of its United Nations commitments.
In her remarks, Baerbock also referred to China's role as a
permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, saying it bore a special
responsibility for helping end the conflict.
"But I have to wonder why the Chinese positioning so
far does not include a call for the aggressor, Russia, to stop the war,"
she said. "We all know that President (Vladimir) Putin would have the
opportunity to do so at any time, and the people in Ukraine would like nothing
more than to finally be able to live in peace again."
A visit to Moscow last month by Chinese leader Xi Jinping
underscored how Beijing is increasingly becoming the senior partner in the
relationship as it provides Russia with an economic lifeline and political
cover. China announced Friday that Defense Minister Gen. Li Shangfu would visit
Russia next week for meetings with counterpart Sergei Shoigu and other military
officials.
On both Ukraine and Taiwan, Qin articulated well-worn
defenses of Chinese policies that underscore Beijing's rejection of criticisms
from the West, particularly the U.S. Under the ardently nationalist Xi, China
has sharpened its rhetoric, particularly on the issue of Taiwan, which split
from mainland China amid civil war in 1949.
Tensions around the island rose significantly after China
deployed warships and fighter planes near Taiwan last weekend in retaliation
for a meeting between U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the island's
president, Tsai Ing-wen.
China insists that self-governing Taiwan submit to its rule,
either peacefully or by force, and Qin said the pursuit of independence by
Taiwan's government and its foreign supporters — a veiled reference to chief
ally the United States — were the reason for the tensions.
Baerbock warned that a conflict in the Taiwan Strait,
through which much of the world's international trade passes, would bring
global disaster.
"We therefore view the increasing tensions in the
Taiwan Strait with great concern," she said. "Conflicts must be
resolved peacefully. A unilateral change of the status quo would not be
acceptable to us as Europeans."
Apparently rejecting Baerbock's concerns, Qin said Taiwan
was "China's internal affair."
"Taiwan independence and peace cannot co-exist,"
he said.
