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To see a list of previous articles, enter “Ukraine” in the Search Box on the upper right, and you will see a list in chronological order.

To understand the broad context within which current developments in Ukraine should be considered,see

“Ukraine War, October 26, 2022: The context for analysis of current developments; The “dirty bomb” as a Russian propaganda distraction from current war crimes,” The Trenchant Observer, October 26, 2022.

Dispatches

1) Telegraph foreign staff, “China will not sell weapons to Russia, foreign minister promises; Qin Gang says his government will regulate the export of items with dual civilian and military use,” The Telegraph, April 14, 2023 (9:66 pm):

2) “Ukraine War, April 7, 2023 (REVISED AND UPDATED April 13, 2023): Macron botches visit to China and meetings with Xi Jinping,” The Trenchant Observer, Revised and Updated April 13, 2003:

Analysis

Today is a day for celebration!

China’s foreign minister has stated China will not supply arms to Russia and will regulate tge sale of dual-use items.

The statement represents a huge achievement by Germany and the European Union.

Following French President Emmanpuyel Macron’s kowtowing to Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last week, and the uproar and repudiation by EU members of Macron’s statements, German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock on her visit to Beijing this week secured the following statement from Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang:

“Regarding the export of military items, China adopts a prudent and responsible attitude,” he said at a news conference, alongside visiting German counterpart Annalena Baerbock.

“China will not provide weapons to relevant parties of the conflict, and [will] manage and control the exports of dual-use items in accordance with laws and regulations.”

The quote is from the Telegraph article cited above.

While Macron’s visit to Beijing was in many ways disastrous, it did produce the following joint communique by Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Macron:

Both parties support all efforts to restore peace in Ukraine on the basis of international law and the purposes and principles of the charter of the United Nations.

While Macron’s statements about European “strategic autonomy” and his ambiguity about whether France and the EU would join the U.S. in resisting an invasion of Taiwan overshadowed this statement, it is nonetheless extremely important.

China, which abstained on the February 23: 2023 General Assembly Resolution calling for a just peace settlement in accordance with international law and the U.N. Charter, has come out squarely in support if such a settlement.

Macron’s maladroit statements may have actually contributed to Baerbock’s success by creating such a strong reaction that in the end European unity was actually very strongly reaffirmed. While speaking in support of the real EU positions on the Ukraine and Taiwan, Baerbock obviously brought to bear the great importance of Germany and Europe for the Chinese economy.Ursula van der Leyen may have been sidelined by Xi Jinping with Macron’s acquiescence, but in the end it vwas the European Union that carried the day.

Qin Gang’s statement was a singular victory for Baerbock, Europe, Ukraine, the Western coalition supporting Ukraine, and the United Nations Charter.

For those following the Ukraine war closely, these Chinese statements are of immense significance. By following this course, China has kept open the oath that could lead to improved relations with the West.

The Trenchant Observer

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