China’s Envoy for Ukraine Embarks on a Diplomatic Tour in Europe amidst Heightened Tensions
Photo: Reuters
As the conflict in Ukraine continues to unsettle global stability, China has dispatched its envoy, Li Hui, on an extensive diplomatic tour across Europe, commencing Saturday. This announcement, made by Chinese Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning on Wednesday, underscores China’s growing involvement in the international response to the Ukrainian crisis. Li Hui’s diplomatic endeavor will include visits to Russia, the European Union headquarters in Brussels, and Ukraine itself, signaling Beijing’s desire to engage with both sides of the conflict as well as with influential third-party actors. The envoy, who previously conducted talks in Europe last May, is also scheduled to meet with officials in Poland, France, and Germany to deliberate over the ongoing situation in Ukraine. China’s role in the Ukrainian conflict has been a subject of considerable scrutiny in the West. Despite advocating for the respect of territorial integrity of nations—a principle that implicitly includes Ukraine—Chinese authorities have refrained from publicly denouncing Russia’s military actions or calling for a withdrawal of Russian troops. This has led to criticisms from Western governments, who view China’s stance as tacit support for Russian aggression. The delicacy of Li Hui’s mission cannot be overstated. His tour comes at a time when Europe is deeply divided over the Ukraine conflict, with the EU and its member states grappling with the geopolitical and humanitarian consequences of the war. In Russia, Li Hui will likely encounter a narrative that is starkly different from the one he will hear in Brussels or Kyiv, making the task of fostering understanding and cooperation all the more challenging.
