China provides help that Kyiv needs most
The Russia-Ukraine conflict witnesses these phenomena: China is sending humanitarian aid to Ukrainians while the United States is delivering weaponry to Kyiv, and China is promoting dialogue to end the crisis and ease its global impact while the US is keen to escalate sanctions that could disrupt global economic recovery.
Throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict, China has maintained a state of neutrality, citing its close friendship, trade and economic ties with both countries.
During a video call with US President Joe Biden last week, President Xi Jinping said the top priorities were to continue dialogue and negotiations, avoid civilian casualties, prevent a humanitarian crisis, cease fighting and end the war as soon as possible.
Xi had urged the US to hold talks between the US, NATO and Russia on what he described as the "crux" of the Ukraine conflict: the security concerns of both Moscow and Kyiv.
Washington seems obsessed with sanctions and warnings that China would "face the consequences". The US State Department has threatened even more sanctions if China provided support to Russia.
No doubt what Ukrainians need most are daily living necessities, a cease-fire and an end to military operations. As shelling continues in key places in Ukraine, daily necessities have become scarce, and the injured need medical care.
China has insisted on and worked for diplomatic solutions to the crisis, apart from offering humanitarian aid.
Shortly after President Xi discussed options with his French and German counterparts, the first shipments of aid to Ukraine's 44 million people had been sent. The shipments, consisting of milk powder for children, blankets and quilts, arrived via Bucharest on March 12.Subsequent aid convoys brought such items as towels, buckets and torches to Lviv and Chernivtsi in western Ukraine.
In addition, at the request of Ukraine, the Red Cross Society of China is providing more humanitarian aid, including food and daily necessities.
In the meantime, the US has managed to sell and fly into Ukraine a large range of basic and sophisticated weapons, worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Western media disappoint readers with disinformation or coldness about the voices and actions of non-NATO countries during the crisis, railing against nations that are not ready to toe the US line.
China has consistently maintained its anti-war policy. It is not a warmongering and war-profiteering country, in stark contrast to a superpower that highlights its military muscle across the world, especially in squeezing the breathing space for Russia's security.
China's partnership with Russia and Ukraine has been long-standing and built on trust, and it will continue.
China has been Russia's largest trade partner for 12 consecutive years, according to China's Commerce Ministry. In addition, it was the largest importer from Ukraine in 2021, with goods worth $8 billion－up 12.7 percent year-on-year.
Ukraine imported Chinese goods worth $10.97 billion last year, an increase of 31.9 percent year-on-year, according to data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine.
However biased the Western media have become against China, the Ukrainians will suffer more with the influx of US weaponry, but they will be better off with assistance and solutions from China and others. Whatever the White House claims, time will prove to the rest of the world what kind of solutions work for the better coexistence of Ukraine, Russia and the rest of Europe.
The author is a former chief information officer for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and a media consultant. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
