Some Chinese diplomats concerned about Ukraine crisis damaging ties with U.S.

Although a shared interest in confronting the United State brought Russia and China together during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, some Chinese diplomats are expressing concerns about the consequences of their home country showing support for Moscow amidst the shadow of a potential invasion of Ukraine. 

Chinese diplomats told The Wall Street Journal on Saturday that the shift in tone reflects a desire to avoid further antagonizing the United States, a possible sign that some officials within the second largest economy in the world are concerned that being isolated from the U.S. could have financial and technological consequences.

“China still wants to hold together the relationship with the U.S.,” said Wang Huiyao, a government adviser and president of the Center for China and Globalization, a Beijing think tank.

The diplomats' concerns were expressed at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, where Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi used “some of the clearest language yet by a senior Chinese official in seeking to temper a Russian offensive against Ukraine,” according to the Journal.

“The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of any country should be respected and safeguarded,” Mr. Wang said remotely over video. “Ukraine is no exception.”

Chinese premier Xi Jinping encouraged the use of diplomatic means to peacefully resolve Russian aggression on Ukraine on a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron last week, as reported by the Global Times.

When Xi expressed solidarity with Russian President Vladimir Putin against NATO expansion before the Olympic opening ceremony on Feb. 4, he was careful not to mention Ukraine. Nonetheless, Western officials saw it as a sign that Beijing would join forces with Moscow toward a new world order.

Some experts perceive the situation as Beijing sending mixed messages, as some officials scramble to signal their concern about a Russian invasion while others continuing to blame the U.S. and the European Union for misrepresenting Putin’s intentions.

“China recognizes its relationship with the U.S. is contentious and competitive,” said Bonnie Glaser, director of the Asia program at the Washington-based German Marshall Fund, told WSJ. “But they don’t want to be pushed into the Russian camp.”