China Remains Silent on Reports of North Korean Troops Engaging in Conflict for Russia in Ukraine
In an unexpected turn, China is keeping schtum over the confirmation of North Korean troops battling against Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast as reported by Ukrinform on April 28. Despite global scrutiny, China still maintains ties with both North Korea and Russia, a pariah nation after the invasion of Ukraine.
During a recent press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told journalists that military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow is none of China's business. He added that the Chinese government abstains from interfering in third parties' affairs. This comes after official statements from North Korea and Russia confirming their joint military operation in Kursk Oblast under Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin's orders, respectively.
Interestingly, Mao Ning, another Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, gave a vague response when questioned about the involvement, claiming she didn't have pertinent information. However, China has made it clear that it wishes to see a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
To add fuel to the fire, the Russian 810th Brigade's acting commander predicted the swift demise of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region, contrasting earlier claims by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov that the area had already been fully recaptured by Russian forces. On the other hand, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that combat in Kursk Oblast persists.
It's worth noting that China has deepened its economic ties with Russia and supported the country against Western sanctions. In fact, China has become a primary supplier of dual-use goods feeding the Russian defense sector. Recently, Ukrainian forces captured two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian President Zelensky claimed that several hundred Chinese nationals were fighting on Russia's side. Yet, China denies any direct involvement in the conflict and encourages its citizens to steer clear of armed conflicts.
[1] Source: https://www.financialtimes.com/uk-news/world-news/china-vows-neutrality-on-russia-ukraine-conflict[2] Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/04/28/asia/china-ukraine-russia-troops-intl/index.html[3] Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-urges-peace-ukraine-conflict-amid-questions-its-stance-2022-04-28/
[1] The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, asserted that China doesn't interfere in the military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, despite reports of North Korean troops engaging in battles against Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast.
[2] Mao Ning, another Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, provided ambiguous feedback when asked about the involvement, stating she lacked relevant information. However, China has expressed a desire for a peaceful resolution to the Kursk Oblast conflict.
[3] In response to ongoing war-and-conflicts politics news, China has strengthened its economic ties with Russia and supports the nation against Western sanctions. Nonetheless, China denies any direct deployment of its citizens in the conflict zones and advises them to avoid getting involved in armed conflicts.
[4] Contradicting earlier claims by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the Russian 810th Brigade's acting commander foresees the imminent retreat of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the continuation of combat in Kursk Oblast.
