China made an official protest regarding Zelensky’s allegations of supplying weapons to Russia
Beijing firmly rejected any accusations of supplying lethal weapons to countries involved in the war against Ukraine, stating that their policy on this issue is consistent and principled. This aligns with the evolving political and diplomatic situation, especially in light of recent statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about possible arms shipments from China to Russia. Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lian Jian, officially emphasized that China has never, under any circumstances, provided lethal weapons to any party involved in the conflict in Ukraine. In his statement, he highlighted that the country strictly controls and under no conditions allows the transfer of dual-use goods that could be used in military operations. Essentially, China's response echoes its desire to maintain a neutral role in this broad international conflict, underlining that its policy remains consistent and unwavering in promoting peace. In his comments, Lian stated that "China has never supplied lethal weapons to any party involved in the conflict" and stressed the importance of "strict control over dual-use items." According to the representative, this is part of China's diplomatic strategy aimed at preventing conflict escalation and actively supporting diplomatic efforts to achieve peace. The context for this statement was a prior announcement made on April 17 by Ukrainian President Zelensky. During a briefing, he claimed to have received intelligence indicating that China is actively involved in supplying weapons to Russia. Zelensky stated that Chinese artillery shells and powder are allegedly reaching Russia, and Chinese manufacturers, according to him, are actively producing arms on Russian territory. From Ukraine and its Western allies’ perspective, who support Kyiv in its fight for sovereignty and territorial integrity, China's role in the conflict is of paramount importance yet highly controversial. Many Western European countries and the United States accuse Beijing of maintaining close economic and diplomatic ties with Moscow, emphasizing that such cooperation provides Russia with significant support in its military aggression. Despite Beijing's official denials and efforts by Chinese diplomacy to maintain a neutral stance, the situation remains tense. The trust of the international community in China's statements is currently under question, as secret arms shipments or increased military aid to Russia continue to be the subject of numerous speculations and investigations. Thus, the diplomatic dispute around China's role in the Ukraine war continues, and its resolution will require not only official statements but also tangible evidence and open investigations. In Ukraine and among Western allies, active discussions are underway about strengthening controls over international arms trade to prevent their use in military conflicts. Meanwhile, Beijing affirms its commitment to a non-interference policy, although it does not hide its interest in maintaining stability in the region and supporting diplomatic dialogue.