China Reaffirms Opposition to 'Russia Sanctions'... "Some Forces Dividing the World"

China has reaffirmed its opposition to sanctions against Russia ahead of a video summit with the European Union (EU).

Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing on the 1st, in response to a request for comment on the EU's opposition to China's support for Russia, "Regarding the Ukraine issue, China adheres to an independent and autonomous peace diplomacy policy and wants to reaffirm that it makes judgments based on right and wrong."

He added, "Each country has the right to independently determine its foreign policy," and pointed out, "No one should be forced to take sides, nor should a simplistic approach be taken where if you are not an enemy, you are a friend, or if you are not black, you are white."

Spokesperson Zhao explained, "China and many countries, including developing nations, share the same position on this issue," and "China has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions."

He said, "The current issue is not about who helps Russia circumvent sanctions, but that regional countries including China have suffered unnecessary losses in conducting normal trade with Russia," and "Also, some forces are trying to divide the world under the pretext of sanction plans."