Explaining China’s reaction to the Russia–Ukraine crisis

Since the Russia–Ukraine conflict broke out, there has been diverse international commentary on China–Russia relations and China’s policies. Most of the comments from the US and Europe on China have been negative, with many accusations and grievances. Debates have also emerged within China, with different and even opposing views coexisting, and there are both pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian public opinions. This has led to divergent views on China–Russia relations and China's policies. This article discusses five issues relevant to China–Russia relations and China’s policies in the context of the Russia–Ukraine conflict: neutrality versus constructive engagement, non-alignment versus “no forbidden areas of cooperation,” pro-Russia versus pro-Ukraine, positive versus negative assets, and long-term stability versus volatility. © 2023, The Institute of International and Strategic Studies (IISS), Peking University.