Chinese leader Xi Jinping said the conflict in Ukraine “sounded the alarm for humanity” and at the same time condemned US sanctions against Russia, accusing the West of provoking Moscow.
Basic points:
- Mr Xi comments in a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Forum
- Says sanctions could act as “boomerang” and “double-edged sword”
- In other comments, he says nations need to work together on such issues as COVID-19 and globalization.
Mr Xi was speaking Wednesday at the inauguration of a virtual meeting of the world’s top emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, or “BRICS”.
His keynote speech strengthened China’s continued support for Russia in the European conflict and would be welcome news for President Vladimir Putin, who was also present.
“The crisis in Ukraine is once again ringing the alarm bell for humanity,” Xi was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua news agency.
“Countries will certainly run into security difficulties if they blindly believe in their positions of power, expand military alliances and seek their own security at the expense of others,” he added.
In other comments, Xi said sanctions could serve as a “boomerang” and a “double-edged sword” and that the global community would suffer from “politicization, mechanization and armaments” of global economic trends and financial flows.
Call us to work together on COVID-19 and globalization
Xi also said China would seek to reduce the damage to international supply chains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which it has faced with a harsh lockdown and quarantine policy, despite reduced cases and rising economic costs.
China’s increasingly dynamic foreign policy and push to dominate world markets have provoked reactions in the US, Europe and elsewhere, including calls for Chinese suppliers to be replaced and dependence on the Chinese economy to be reduced.
Xi called on nations to work together on such issues, saying that efforts to “build a small courtyard with high walls” were not in anyone’s interest.
“Economic globalization is an objective requirement for the development of the productive forces and an irresistible historical trend,” Xi said.
“Going back in history and trying to block the path of others will only block your own path in the end.”
AP