Under Russian Sanctions Pressure... Chinese Nationals Transferred from Ukraine to China One After Another

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] On the 6th, Chinese media including Xinhua News Agency reported that China used four flights to evacuate its nationals from Ukraine to China.

According to the report, two aircraft arrived in Zhengzhou and Hangzhou on that day. This followed the arrival of China's first two evacuation flights in Zhengzhou and Hangzhou the previous day. The exact number of passengers, including Chinese nationals, is not known.

China has faced criticism for not issuing evacuation orders to about 6,000 Chinese people, including students and businesspeople, staying in Ukraine before the war broke out. Last week, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that more than 3,000 Chinese had evacuated to neighboring countries by bus.

The number of refugees who have fled Ukraine is reported to be approaching 1.4 million. The United Nations Human Rights Office announced on the 24th of last month that at least 351 civilians had died since Russia's invasion, and the actual death toll is believed to be higher. The World Health Organization (WHO) also declared that the shelling of Ukrainian health centers, which caused numerous casualties, constitutes a "violation of international humanitarian law."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The United States and the European Union (EU) are pressuring China to join sanctions against Russia. According to major foreign media, on the 5th (local time), U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a phone call with Wang Yi, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister, "The world is watching which countries uphold the fundamental principles of freedom, self-determination, and sovereignty." He added, "The world is united in rejecting Russia's aggression and responding to it, and Russia will clearly pay a heavy price," effectively pressuring China to join the sanctions against Russia.

In response, Wang Yi stated, "We encourage Russia and Ukraine to negotiate directly, and the international community should continue to cooperate and support until peace is achieved," and reiterated a principled position, saying, "Attention must be paid to the negative impact of NATO's continued expansion on Russia's security environment."

The Japanese government plans to change its strategy toward Russia from an existing partner to a national security issue similar to North Korea and China in the revision of its National Security Strategy scheduled for the end of the year, in relation to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Yomiuri Shimbun reported on the 6th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.