China committed to ‘peacemaker’ role, including on Ukraine, Xiangshan defence forum hears

China will “continue to act as a mediator and promote the political resolution of hotspot issues”, including the Ukraine war, a senior Chinese diplomat has said.

The remarks from Chinese foreign vice-minister Chen Xiaodong at a premier annual security forum in Beijing came as a noted analyst voiced optimism about the next direct contact between the leaders of China and Ukraine.

Addressing the 11th Xiangshan Forum on Saturday, Chen said: “On the Ukraine crisis, we will continue in-depth communication with all parties concerned to build consensus for ending the conflict and pave the way for peace talks.”

China has positioned itself as a peacemaker and presented itself as neutral in the Ukraine war, which entered its third year in February. However, Beijing’s close ties with Moscow and reluctance to publicly condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions in the former Soviet state have drawn criticism from the West.

According to Cui Hongjian, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University, Russia and Ukraine are approaching a stage where a political solution could emerge, and China is ready to do “anything that contributes to peace”.