Brussels 05.04.2024 The European External Action Service (EEAS) Managing Directors for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Michael Siebert, and for Asia and the Pacific, Niclas Kvarnström, met the Special Envoy of the Chinese Government for Eurasian Affairs, Li Hui, in Brussels on 4 March, Monday. Li Hui serves as the Chinese Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs since August 2019, and previously served as the Chinese Ambassador to Russia and Kazakhstan, and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. A day earlier Li Hui said that China is prepared to pursue efforts and act as a mediator to seek a “peace settlement to the Ukrainian crisis”. The Chinese high ranking diplomat embarked on his second European tour on Saturday, March 2, in view to to visit Russia, Ukraine, Brussels, Poland, Germany, and France.

“The EU and China delegations discussed Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and ways to promote a just and sustainable peace”, – the press-release of the EEAS continues. – “The EU side underlined Russia’s full responsibility for the unprovoked and unjustified aggression, stressing that the respect for the principles of the UN Charter and Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be the cornerstone of any final settlement. The EU highlighted that Russia’s war is an existential threat for its security and that therefore China’s position on the war inevitably impacts our bilateral relationship. The EU remains committed to supporting Ukraine with whatever it takes to prevail” reads the press-release of the European External Action Service”.

“The EU side welcomed Special Envoy Li’s upcoming visit to Kyiv, which they hoped would provide the opportunity for substantive engagement by China with Ukraine, more than two years after the start of Russia’s illegal war of aggression.

“The EU expects China, as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, to play a constructive role and to use every occasion to uphold and promote the UN Charter and international law. The EU side stressed it expects China to call on to Russia to respect the principles of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity immediately and unconditionally by withdrawing all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

“The EU side reiterated its serious concerns, which were also passed at the EU-China Summit on 7 December 2023, regarding significant volumes of dual use and advanced technology items being exported from China to Russia’s military industrial complex. In this context, the EU urged China to take effective steps within its jurisdiction to curb the flows of those most sensitive items.

“Both sides agreed to remain in touch on these critical issues”.

Before visiting Brussels the Chinese diplomat has already visited Moscow, where he started his trip with the talks with Russian counterparts.

The Chinese high ranking diplomat first tour occurred on May 2023, followed the issue of a 12-point document titled “China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis.”

The document produced after the first trip of the Chinese envoy stresses the importance of respecting the sovereignty of all nations involved and urges for an end to hostilities. It further advocated for the renewal of peace negotiations between Moscow and Kiev.