A short video was dispersed along social networks, in which the official representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Mao Nin smiles in response to the request to report the PRC position regarding the sovereignty of Ukraine. We checked whether this description is true.

As reported on April 26, 2023 TV channel "Tsargrad", At a press conference, the journalist asked the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Mao Nin, whether China recognizes Ukraine as a sovereign state. In response, the sarcastic “Heh” was made, which allegedly can be seen from a five -second video attached to the publication.

In such a vein, the information was presented by numerous Russian-speaking Telegram channels, among which "Solovyov"(261,000 views at the time of writing of the material), Saloboy (126 000), "Kirill Fedorov"(115 000),"Cat Kostyan"(92 000),"Cartridge"(81 000),"Militarist"(77 000),"Release Kraken!"(67 000), Putin TG Team (67,000), "Ukraine.ru" (64,000), "Sexton"(63,000) and"DPR info"(51 000). The news dispersed on other social networks: ""VKontakte" Twitter And Facebook.

China's ambiguous attitude to a full -scale military conflict in Ukraine is a question that will excite the world community from the beginning of hostilities. Western countries are worried about the rapprochement of such a large and influential political player with Russia against the backdrop of growing contradictions with the United States. Over the past six months, the Chancellor of Germany came to negotiations with the chairman of China Xi Jinping. Olaf Sholts, Prime Minister of Spain Olaf Sanchez, president of France Emmanuel Macron and chairman of the European Commission Ursula von der Layen. Nevertheless, judging by the official rhetoric, the position of the Chinese People’s Republic has not changed since then: it openly does not support any of the parties in the conflict, while Expanding Economic cooperation with Russia. In March, Xi Jinping I visited Moscow and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and at the end of April conducted a telephone talk With the Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky. Nevertheless, a plan for resolving the conflict, presented China back in February, Not called The Ukrainian side has enthusiasm.

In addition to everything, there was a diplomatic scandal. April 21 on the French LCI television channel live Broadcast Interview with the ambassador of China to France Luza. Answering the question about the belonging of Crimea to Ukraine, the diplomat said: “It depends on how you look at this problem. There is a story. Crimea from the very beginning belonged to Russia. It was Khrushchev who gave Crimea to Ukraine during the Soviet Union. ” It was no less resonant that his remark that the post -Soviet states "do not have a valid status in international law, since there is no international agreement that would consolidate their status as sovereign countries." Especially sharply for these statements reacted In Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia - up to call Chinese attorney In the Baltic countries at local Foreign Ministry. The Supreme EU representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Josep Borrel, expressed assumptionthat these "unacceptable" words do not reflect the official position of China. Nevertheless, on the morning of April 24, the intercom of the interview was Remove From the page of the Chinese embassy in France on the social network WeChat several hours after publication.

On the same day, the next press conference of the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Mao Nin was held, on which, of course, they did not bypass the topic of the resonant interview of the ambassador in Paris. The correspondent of the Russian news agency TASS set question: “Last Friday, the Chinese ambassador to France Lue was an interview with the French media. Regarding the belonging of Crimea, Mr. Ambassador said that it depends on how the problem is perceived. Crimea historically was part of Russia and was proposed by Ukraine as the former leader of the Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev. What is your comment? "

Mao Nin’s answer was this: “China’s position on relevant issues remains unchanged. As for issues related to territorial sovereignty, China’s position is consistent and clear. China respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries and adheres to the goals and principles of the UN Charter. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, China was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the relevant countries. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties with these countries, China has adhered to the principles of mutual respect and equality in the development of friendly and cooperative bilateral relations with them. China respects the status of former Soviet republics as sovereign countries after the collapse of the Soviet Union. As for the issue of Ukraine, the position of China is clear and consistent. We will continue to work with the international community in order to contribute to promoting the political settlement of the crisis in Ukraine. Some media are trying to distort the position of China on the issue of Ukraine and sow discord between China and interested countries. It requires vigilance. ”

Thus, China through the lips of the speaker of the Ministry of Defense quite clearly made it clear that he respects the sovereignty of Ukraine and other post -Soviet republics. Nevertheless, after a few minutes, Reuters correspondent again He asked Mao Nin, does China recognize Ukraine as a sovereign state. Chinese diplomat reaction, more like a sigh than laughing, apparently made it clear that she had already answered this question. This is said by her subsequent words: “You know the answer very well. Ukraine is a full member of the UN. Everyone understands that only sovereign countries can become members of the UN. China has established and develops strong relations with Ukraine in accordance with the goals and principles of the UN Charter and five principles peaceful coexistence. Any attempts to drive a wedge or violate China’s relationship with the relevant countries are malicious and are unsuccessful. ”

Nevertheless, Russian-speaking Telegram channels that distributed videos from the press conference of Mao Nin cut out the part of the video that ends with a sigh, and gave it as an ironic reaction of the Chinese representative. As can be seen from Full video, such a presentation of information cannot be called correct.

Photo on the cover: screenshot from YouTube channel FIRSTPOST