Anna Hartz
China Responds to Claims of Its Citizens Fighting in Ukraine
As the war in Ukraine drags on, more questions are being raised about who is actually fighting on the ground.
Reports from Kyiv suggest that foreign nationals might be joining the battle—not just from neighboring countries, but also from faraway places like Africa and Asia. Now, China is responding.
On Wednesday, the Chinese government said it has warned its citizens to stay out of the war in Ukraine, reports Digi24.
Wants Ceasefire
This statement came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned that fighters from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries were involved in the conflict.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed the issue directly. He said that China has been consistent in its position.
The country supports peace talks and wants to see a ceasefire. According to Guo, Beijing has released several safety warnings to Chinese citizens.
These messages advised people to stay away from war zones and to avoid getting involved in any military action.
Guo also said that the government had made it clear that Chinese nationals should not take part in the fighting on either side.
A Vague Position
Since the beginning of the war, China has kept its position vague. It says it respects the territorial integrity of all countries, including Ukraine.
But at the same time, it also calls for understanding the “legitimate concerns” of every nation—an indirect reference to Russia’s stance.
Beijing has pushed back on accusations that it supports Russia’s military campaign.
Western countries have claimed that China is helping Moscow by supplying components used in weapons production. China denies this.
China has also rejected sanctions against Russia and continues to buy Russian oil and gas, often at discounted prices.
This has led many in the West to believe that Beijing is choosing closer ties with Moscow over helping to end the war.
European leaders have repeatedly urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to use his influence over Vladimir Putin. So far, those calls have not changed China’s course.
