During the recent general debate at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 28, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed the ongoing Ukraine crisis, which has arisen from the Russia-Ukraine war, stating that it is far from being resolved. He underscored the importance of ensuring “no escalation of the conflict, no external spillover,” and called for all parties to refrain from exacerbating the situation, emphasizing the urgent need for de-escalation.
Wang also touched upon the formation of the “Friends of Peace” group, comprised of countries from the Global South, including China and Brazil. This initiative aims to build consensus for a political resolution to the crisis and to foster a vision of peace, unwaveringly adhering to the principles of the UN Charter.
Addressing other regional conflicts, Wang spoke about the ongoing Israel-Palestine situation and the renewed violence in Lebanon. He reaffirmed China’s steadfast support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, reiterating that the two-state solution is essential for achieving peace. Highlighting recent progress toward internal reconciliation within Palestine, he reaffirmed China’s commitment to contributing to a comprehensive and just resolution of the Palestinian issue, which he believes is crucial for long-term stability in the Middle East.
According to the People’s Daily, a ministerial meeting of the “Friends of Peace” group on the Russia-Ukraine war took place on September 27 at the UN headquarters, co-chaired by Wang and Brazilian Foreign Policy Advisor Celso Amorim, with representatives from 17 Global South countries in attendance.
Wang noted that China has already published a document detailing its stance on a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis and has jointly produced a “six-point consensus” with Brazil. He pointed out that China’s proposals and mediation efforts have gained broad support from other nations in the Global South.
Reflecting on the early days of the Ukraine crisis, Wang recalled that both Russia and Ukraine were on the brink of an agreement but ultimately failed to reach one, a situation he believes deserves further contemplation.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy raised concerns in his speech to the UN General Assembly on September 25, questioning the motivations behind China and Brazil’s proposals outside of his own peace plan. Zelenskyy contended that introducing “alternative proposals and half-hearted solutions” could unwittingly provide Russia with additional political space to continue its aggression.
