China told the EU that Beijing cannot allow Russia to lose the war in Ukraine — SCMP

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, on Wednesday that Beijing cannot afford a Russian defeat in Ukraine, as it fears that in such a case the U.S. would shift its full attention to China.

This was reported by the Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post (SCMP), citing several sources familiar with the course of the talks between China and the EU.

According to the publication, the Chinese Foreign Ministry regularly reminds its counterparts that China is “not a party” to the Russia-Ukraine war, which made some EU officials surprised by the frankness of Wang Yi’s remarks.

At the same time, Wang Yi denied allegations that China is materially supporting Russia, including in the military sphere. He stated that “the conflict would have ended long ago” if that were the case.

Sources told journalists that some EU officials felt Wang Yi was giving Kallas a “lesson in realpolitik,” part of which was focused on Beijing’s belief that Washington will soon redirect all its attention to the East.

“One interpretation of Wang’s remarks in Brussels is that, while China did not ask for the war, its continuation may align with Beijing’s strategic interests — as long as the U.S. remains tied up in Ukraine,” the authors added.