Many of the Chinese in Ukraine are university students. Kharkiv is Ukraine’s second-largest city and is the home to 20 universities. On Tuesday a missile struck the city in Freedom Square. And the large explosion killed or injured at least 20 people, including one child.
In a statement posted on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, Wang Yi expressed concern for their citizens.
“As the war continues to expand, the top priority is to ease the situation to prevent the conflict from escalating or even getting out of control, especially to prevent harm to civilians, and to ensure the safe and timely access of humanitarian aid,” the Chinese foreign minister said.
China-Russia peace talks with Ukraine?
In the statement, Wang Yi said that China “deplores the outbreak of conflict between Ukraine and Russia.”
Wang is the first Chinese official to acknowledge the conflict is a “war,” rather than the “special military operation” Russia has described.
Ukraine’s Kuleba said Ukraine was willing to strengthen its communications with China. And it hopes for China’s “mediation for the realization of the ceasefire,” according to the statement.
