China’s top diplomat Wang Yi, who is due to visit Russia this week on the one-year anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine, called on Monday for negotiations and peace for the sake of the world and Europe in particular.
BUDAPEST – China’s top diplomat Wang Yi, who is due to visit Russia this week on the one-year anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine, called on Monday for negotiations and peace for the sake of the world and Europe in particular.
“We would like a political solution to provide a peaceful and sustainable framework to Europe,” Wang said in Hungary ahead of a visit to Moscow.
China regards Russia as an ally, counter-balancing US global power, and has so far refrained from condemning the February 24 invasion of Ukraine while repeatedly urging peace.
In a Facebook video during a meeting with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, Wang said the world was afflicted by disorder and wars.
“Let me echo what we have just heard (from you) and jointly declare to the world that China and Hungary gladly work together with other peace-loving countries to bring the current hostilities to a halt as soon as possible,” Wang told Szijjarto in a Facebook video during their meeting.
Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has worked to build closer business ties with China, hosted Wang at a private dinner on Sunday, news agency MTI reported.
Wang reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to closer economic ties, including via China’s vast Belt and Road Initiative.
China’s CATL plans to build a 7.3 billion euro battery plant in Hungary, Europe’s largest so far, as the world’s biggest electric vehicle battery maker gears up to meet growing demand from global automakers.
– REUTERS
