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Ukraine war
ChinaDiplomacy

China reaches out to Central Asia in push to end Ukraine war

  • Russia’s invasion ranks high on agenda during meeting between Chinese foreign minister and counterparts from five Central Asian countries
  • The gathering comes a day after long-awaited phone call between Xi Jinping and Volodymyr Zelensky

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Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang met his counterparts from five former Soviet states on Thursday. Photo: AP
Hayley Wong
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said China was willing to work with five countries in Central Asia – where Russia has substantial influence – to push for a consensus in solving the Ukraine crisis.
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His remarks came one day after a long-awaited phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, which was welcomed in Washington and parts of Europe as an attempt to step up diplomatic efforts that could help resolve the Ukraine war.
“China and the Central Asian countries share a similar view and stance on the crisis in Ukraine,” Qin said on Thursday after meeting his regional counterparts in the northwest city of Xian to prepare for next month’s China plus Central Asian countries (C+C5) summit.

Qin said the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan – all former Soviet states – spoke highly of the constructive conversation between Xi and Zelensky and believed it would be helpful for achieving a ceasefire and peace talks soon, according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He added that China was willing to continue to work together with all parties, including Central Asia, to build consensus and promote a resolution to the crisis.

02:03

China to send envoy to Ukraine after Xi and Zelensky hold first call since Russian invasion

China to send envoy to Ukraine after Xi and Zelensky hold first call since Russian invasion

The countries have been wary of endorsing Russia’s aggression and have either voted to abstain or simply did not vote in the United Nations General Assembly resolutions condemning the invasion.

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