BEIJING (BLOOMBERG) - China declared ties with Russia to be "rock solid" despite President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, while repeating earlier an accusation that the United States is trying to build a Pacific version of Nato.
"No matter how precarious and challenging the international situation may be, China and Russia will maintain a strategic focus and steadily advance our comprehensive strategic partnership and coordination," China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday (March 7) at his annual news briefing on the sidelines of the National People’s Congress in Beijing.
Mr Wang’s support for Moscow provides Mr Putin with a much-needed boost, as Russia faces a barrage of US-led sanctions over bloodshed in Ukraine.
Mr Wang accused the US of going to great lengths to form blocs to suppress China, echoing grievances cited by Moscow before the invasion.
The "real goal" of the US’ Indo-Pacific strategy, he said, was to form a version of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) in the region.
"The perverse actions run counter to the common aspiration of the region for peace, development, cooperation and win-win outcomes," he added. "They are doomed to fail."
Russia launched the action in Ukraine weeks after Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Mr Putin in Beijing and publicly declared their friendship had "no limits".
China has sought to avoid taking a position in the conflict, as it attempts to balance support for Russian efforts to challenge US dominance with its interest of being regarded as a responsible major power.
"China is prepared to continue playing a constructive role to facilitate dialogue for peace and work alongside the international communications when needed to carry out necessary mediation," Mr Wang said, stopping short of clarifying whether Beijing would mediate between Kyiv and Moscow.
He said that China would soon offer humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
The briefing comes as Russian forces continue their bombardment of Ukrainian cities, raising fears of mass casualties and a broader humanitarian crisis.
Follow The Straits Times' live coverage on the Ukraine crisis here.
