A short video has circulated on social networks in which the official representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, smiles in response to a request to inform the PRC’s position on the sovereignty of Ukraine. We have checked whether this description is true.

As reported on April 26, 2023 by the TV channelConstantinople", at a press conference, the journalist asked the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Mao Ning, whether China recognizes Ukraine as a sovereign state. The response was allegedly a sarcastic “heh,” as can allegedly be seen from the five-second video attached to the post.

Numerous Russian-language Telegram channels provided information in a similar vein, including “Solovyov"(261,000 views at the time of writing), Saloboy (126,000), "Kirill Fedorov"(115,000), "Cat Kostyan"(92,000), "Cartridge"(81,000), "Militarist"(77,000), "Release the Kraken!"(67,000), Putin TG Team (67,000), "Ukraine.ru» (64,000), "Sexton" (63,000) and "DPR info"(51,000). The news spread across other social networks: “VKontakte", Twitter And Facebook.

China's ambiguous attitude towards a full-scale military conflict on the territory of Ukraine is an issue that has been troubling the world community since the beginning of hostilities. Western countries are concerned 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 German Chancellor has come to Beijing for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister of Spain Olaf Sanchez, President of France Emmanuel Macron and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. However, judging by the official rhetoric, the position of the People's Republic of China has not changed since then: it does not openly support either side in the conflict, while expanding economic cooperation with Russia. In March, Xi Jinping visited Moscow and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and at the end of April held a telephone call talk with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky. However, the conflict resolution plan presented China back in February, didn't call enthusiasm from the Ukrainian side.

On top of that, there was a diplomatic scandal. April 21 on the French TV channel LCI live broadcast interview with Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye. Answering a question about Crimea's ownership of Ukraine, the diplomat said: “It depends on how you look at this problem. There is a story. Crimea belonged to Russia from the very beginning. It was Khrushchev who gave Crimea to Ukraine during the Soviet Union.” No less resonant was his remark that post-Soviet states “do not have a valid status in international law, since there is no international agreement that would secure their status as sovereign countries.” Particularly harsh on these statements reacted in Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia - up to call Chinese attorneys in the Baltic countries to local Ministries of Foreign Affairs. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell expressed assumptionthat these "unacceptable" words do not reflect China's official position. However, on the morning of April 24, the transcript of the interview was deleted from the Chinese Embassy in France page on the WeChat social network a few hours after publication.

On the same day, another press conference was held by the official representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, at which, of course, the topic of the ambassador’s resonant interview in Paris was not ignored. A correspondent for the Russian news agency TASS asked question: “Last Friday, Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye gave an interview to French media. Regarding the ownership of Crimea, Mr. Ambassador said that it depends on how the problem is perceived. Crimea was historically part of Russia and was offered to Ukraine by former Soviet Union leader Nikita Khrushchev. What's your comment?"

Mao Ning’s response was: “China’s position on relevant issues remains unchanged. Regarding 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 purposes 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 relevant countries. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties with these countries, China has adhered to the principles of mutual respect and equality in developing friendly and cooperative bilateral relations with them. China respects the status of the former Soviet republics as sovereign countries after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Regarding the issue of Ukraine, China's position is clear and consistent. We will continue to work with the international community to do our part to promote a political resolution to the crisis in Ukraine. Some media outlets are trying to distort China's position on the Ukraine issue and sow discord between China and the countries concerned. This requires vigilance."

Thus, China, through the mouth of the Foreign Ministry speaker, made it quite clear that it respects the sovereignty of Ukraine and other post-Soviet republics. However, just a few minutes later, the Reuters correspondent again asked Mao Ning, does China recognize Ukraine as a sovereign state. Chinese diplomat reaction, more like a sigh than a laugh, apparently made it clear that she had already answered this question. This is evidenced 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 is developing strong relations with Ukraine in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and five principles peaceful coexistence. Any attempt to drive a wedge or disrupt China's relations with relevant countries is malicious and will not succeed."

However, the Russian-language Telegram channels that distributed the video from Mao Ning’s press conference cut out the part of the video that ends with a sigh and presented it as an ironic reaction from the Chinese representative. As can be seen from full video, such a presentation of information cannot be called correct.

Cover photo: screenshot from YouTube channel Firstpost