Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin announced Friday that Li Hui, special representative for Eurasian Affairs, will make a series of visits to Ukraine and other countries with the aim of holding consultations and seeking a political solution to the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow. Li’s tour will begin on May 15 and will include visits to Russia, Germany, Poland, and France.
Wang stressed that China has always maintained an objective and impartial stance since the outbreak of the conflict and has been willing to promote peace talks. Li’s visit to these countries demonstrates China’s firm support for peace and its desire to play a constructive role in seeking a ceasefire, as well as forging greater international consensus on the issue.
Li’s tour was announced following a telephone conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in late April, the first time since the start of the Russian military operation. However, no details were provided on the specifics of the trip.
In late February, the Chinese Foreign Ministry released a document presenting a proposal for a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine. The initiative included 12 points and emphasized respect for the sovereignty of all countries, cessation of hostilities, resumption of peace talks, abandonment of the Cold War mentality, and an end to unilateral sanctions, among other aspects.
While Russia praised China’s efforts to promote dialogue, Western countries came out against the Chinese plan and defended Kyiv’s demands. Li’s visit to Ukraine and other countries seeks to advance the goal of finding a political solution to the conflict and promoting peace in the region.