Beijing, 16 February 2022 (TDI): Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, Wang Wenbin released an official statement about the Chinese diplomatic missions in Ukraine. He has stated that the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Ukraine are working normally.
The remarks were made by him in a regular press conference. The spokesperson further added that China has asked all parties involved in the crises to be “cool-headed” and to avoid things that may escalate the tensions & hype up the crisis. There is a need to solve the Ukrainian issue by adhering to the Minsk-2 agreement.
While responding to the question about the Chinese Embassy in Ukraine, Wang further added that the Chinese Embassy in Ukraine has issued a consular advisory that reminds Chinese citizens and institutions to closely follow the developments and increase their safety awareness.
He further added that the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Ukraine have close contact with Chinese citizens and institutions in Ukraine. The Embassy is also ready to provide timely consular protection and assistance, and earnestly protect Chinese Citizens’ safety and legitimate rights and interests.
Wang made the statement while confirming China’s stance on the Ukraine issue, stressing that all relevant stakeholders should work for a comprehensive settlement of the crisis through dialogue and negotiation.
On the question about evacuating the Chinese citizens from Ukraine, Wang responded that China’s position is clear, consistent, and remains unchanged. He further reiterated to follow the Minsk-2 Agreement. The Minsk-2 Agreement is endorsed by the UN Security Council as an important document that should be implemented
China calls all parties to find the comprehensive resolution of the ongoing Ukraine crisis and all parties to remain rational and refrain from making moves that may escalate the tensions and play up and sensationalize the crisis.
Minsk-2 Agreement
The Minsk-2 Agreement includes the following salient points:
- An immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.
- The withdrawal of all heavy weapons by both parties at equal distances.
- To ensure the effective monitoring and verification by the OSCE of the ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy weapons with the use of all necessary technical means, including satellites, UAVs, radar systems, etc.
- To begin a dialogue on the procedures for holding local elections in accordance with Ukrainian law.
- To provide pardons and amnesties by the enactment of a law prohibiting prosecution and punishment of persons in Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.
- To ensure the release and exchange of hostages and illegally detained persons based on the principle of “all for all”.
- To provide secure access, delivery, storage and distribution of humanitarian aid to the needy on the basis of an international mechanism.
- Determination of the procedure for the full restoration of the socio-economic relations, including transactions of social payments.
- Ukraine shall regain control over the segment of its banking system in conflict-affected areas, and an international mechanism to facilitate such transfers will probably be created.
- Restoration of full control over the state border of Ukraine by Ukraine’s government throughout the whole conflict area.
- The withdrawal of all foreign armed forces, military equipment, as well as mercenaries from the territory of Ukraine under the supervision of the OSCE.
- Disarmament of all illegal groups.
- Conducting constitutional reform in Ukraine, with the new constitution coming into force by the end of 2015, providing for decentralization as a key element.
- Elections will be held in compliance with the relevant standards of the OSCE with the monitoring by the OSCE ODIHR.
- To intensify the activities of the Trilateral Contact Group, including through the establishment of working groups to implement the relevant aspects of the Minsk Agreement.
The document was signed by the members of a Trilateral Contact Group i.e. (OSCE) Ambassador Heidi Tagliavini, second President of Ukraine L.D. Kuchma, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Ukraine M.Yu. Zurabov, A. V. Zakharchenko and I. V. Plotnitsky.
Highlighting the importance of the 2015 Minsk agreements, Wang said that the agreements which are endorsed by the UN Security Council are a universally recognized political document. So the commitment should be taken seriously and implemented honestly.
The new Minsk agreements are a series of measures to implement the 2014 Minsk agreements. The agreement is signed by representatives of Germany, France, Ukraine, and Russia in 2015 in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. The goal was to achieve a military ceasefire, political reform, and national reconciliation in Eastern Ukraine.
The Minsk agreements made in September 2014 and February 2015, respectively, are frameworks with steps required to end the conflict between government troops and armed groups in Donbas.
China-Ukraine bilateral relations
China and Ukraine enjoy deep-rooted bilateral ties. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky exchanged congratulations on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
China-Ukraine relations have maintained a sound and steady momentum of development since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago. Both the countries carried out successful cooperation in various fields including trade, economics, political and diplomatic ties.
For instance, the strengthening of people-to-people and cultural exchanges, which have improved the well-being of the two peoples. During the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Ukraine also have supported each other and worked together to fight it.
China gives significance to the development of the China-Ukraine strategic partnership and is ready to work with Kyiv to enhance bilateral ties as well as cooperation in various fields for the benefit of the two countries and people.
Ukraine also acknowledges the development of Ukraine-China relations which has maintained a positive momentum with close exchanges at all levels and fruitful practical cooperation between the two countries.
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