China today denied intending to supply arms to Russia and noted that it maintains a “friendly” and “mutually beneficial” relationship with Portugal, after Lisbon said it would review ties if Beijing provided military support to Moscow.
“China will not carry out any military sales to belligerent parties or to areas in conflict,” said the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a written response to questions from the Lusa agency.
Beijing “has always had a prudent and responsible attitude” in the export of weapons and military equipment, he added.
Chinese diplomacy also stated that it maintains friendly, long-term and “mutually beneficial” ties with Portugal.
Relations between Lisbon and Beijing are “aligned with the interests of both sides”, reads the responses sent to Lusa, after the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, João Gomes Cravinho, stated that Lisbon would have to “review the meaning of the political and economic relationship” with China, in case the Asian country provided military support to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Chinese government recalled that last week it proposed a plan to end the conflict.
In Beijing’s proposal, the importance of “respecting the sovereignty of all countries” is highlighted, in a reference to Ukraine, but it also calls for an end to the “Cold War mentality” – a term often used by Beijing to criticize the US foreign policy.
“The security of a region must not be achieved through the strengthening or expansion of military blocs”, the document reads, in an implicit criticism of the enlargement of NATO.
The plan calls for an end to western sanctions imposed on Russia, measures to ensure the security of nuclear facilities, the establishment of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians and actions to guarantee the export of grain, after interruptions in supply caused the rising prices worldwide.
China has said it is neutral in the conflict but maintains an “unbounded” relationship with Russia and has refused to criticize the invasion of Ukraine. Beijing has accused the West of provoking the conflict and “fueling the flames” by supplying Ukraine with defensive weapons.
The Asian country considers the partnership with Moscow fundamental to oppose the liberal democratic order, led by the United States. Relations between Beijing and Washington have also rapidly deteriorated in recent years due to a trade and technology war, disputes over human rights, the status of Hong Kong and Taiwan or the sovereignty of the South China Sea.
Chinese diplomacy also said it wanted to work together with Portugal to promote exchanges and bilateral cooperation, aiming to “achieve more results and benefits for both sides”.
