China Ukraine stance

Xi Jinping may need to rethink his grand design for a new world order.

The usual Chinese propaganda about effective protection of overseas citizens has led to an unexpected public backlash in the wake of a sluggish evacuation mission in Ukraine.

In the short term, the tangible support that China can provide to Russia is limited, but the strategic implications are more profound.

China’s attitude toward the Ukraine war stems from functional calculations, diplomatic and military bonds with Kyiv, strategic considerations, and normative reflection.

2021 was a rough year for China-Europe relations. 2022 looks set to be even worse.

Xi Jinping is watching Ukraine with one eye on Taiwan. The West must give him reason to think any invasion would be disastrously costly.

The fact that Beijing was caught off guard hints at the fragility of its partnership with Russia.

The region professes a concern for the norm of national sovereignty. Will it speak up in the case of Ukraine?

Beijing has no interest in getting caught in the crossfire between Russia and the West.

The reputational cost – both on the international stage and with the Chinese people – would be great if Beijing threw its support behind Russian aggression.

The two leaders reaffirmed the "no limits" friendship between China and Russia in their first in-person meeting since 2019 – but they notably danced around the topic of Ukraine.