The Chinese Foreign Ministry has confirmed that China will be participating in the upcoming peace summit hosted by Saudi Arabia, as part of its ongoing efforts to assist in resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Li Hui, China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, will lead the Chinese delegation to the summit in Jeddah, according to a statement released by the ministry on Friday.
The summit, scheduled to be held on Saturday and Sunday, has reportedly invited around 30 countries to attend. Among those expected to participate are the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Poland. However, Russia, a key player in the conflict, has been excluded from the gathering. While it is unclear why Russia is not invited, it is presumed that Moscow would have some input on any potential peace agreement.
One reason cited for Saudi Arabia being chosen as the host nation is its close relationship with China. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Saudi Arabia’s role as host was intended, in part, to encourage China’s participation in the summit. Other countries invited to the summit include India, Brazil, Indonesia, Egypt, and Mexico. Notably, Russia is the only member of the BRICS economic bloc that has not received an invitation.
China has been actively involved in seeking a resolution to the Ukraine crisis. In February, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a 12-point plan to end the conflict. However, the proposal was dismissed by US officials who believed it would only benefit Russia. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also questioned China’s credibility on the issue, stating that China has not condemned Russia for its actions in Ukraine.
In response to accusations from Russian officials that the US and NATO members have prolonged the conflict by providing weapons to Ukraine, Chinese officials have maintained a neutral stance. Russia claims that over 43,000 Ukrainian troops have been killed in the past two months due to Kiev’s counteroffensive in the Donbass region. However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has not publicly condemned Russia for its actions.
China’s participation in the peace summit reflects its commitment to playing a constructive role in resolving the Ukraine crisis. As the world watches to see if any progress can be made towards achieving peace, the international community acknowledges the importance of dialogue and cooperation in bringing an end to the conflict.
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