Photo: CNN
Ukraine saw explosions and gunfire shower across their roofs last Thursday. While world leaders denounced an invasion extending throughout the country, China refused to decry Russia’s actions directly, instead seeming to blame the United States and its allies.
A Chinese government leader avoided questions last Thursday on whether they would decry Russia’s move or call it an “invasion.”
Instead, assistant Foreign Minister of China Hua Chunying was quick to implicate the US, hinting that Washington was a “culprit” for “fanning up flames,” pointing out the US warnings of a brewing invasion in recent weeks.
Hua had reiterated statements about pursuing peace through dialogue and said that the situation was “not what we would hope to see” before the invasion.
“China has taken a responsible attitude and persuaded all parties not to escalate tensions or incite war … Those who follow the US’ lead in fanning up flames and then shifting the blame onto others are truly irresponsible,” she stated.
Hua’s latest comments on the crisis align with those conveyed a day earlier, before the invasion, when Hua blamed the crisis on “NATO expansion eastward all the way to Russia’s doorstep.”
She said, “Did it ever think about the consequences of pushing a big country to the wall?”
Hua’s presence from the briefing both days was unusual. Since she was elevated to assistant minister for foreign affairs in October, the spokeswoman has not been at the podium in briefings.
Her statements are broadcasted throughout China’s official state media and social media platforms, where Ukraine talks span the coverage and conversation.
Numerous users have made the Russian invasion trending on Weibo, a platform like Twitter in China, with “Ukraine President says Western countries completely give up on Ukraine” at the top of the list, amassing more than 1 billion views and thousands of comments.
Many comments on the platform praise Russia and Vladimir Putin but criticize Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for being “pro-West.”
But some denounce the idea of a war: “War is not funny at all,” commented one user. “It makes me feel physically sick to see all the jokes about war.”
Other prominent media outlets in China have been publishing news from both the Ukrainian and Russian sides and giving close attention to any sanctions that other nations may put against Russia.
Opinions expressed by US Insider contributors are their own.
