Ukraina Lo Âu Theo Dõi Chuyến Thăm Matxcơva Của Tập Cận Bình • Rfi

In the ever-shifting tango of international relations, today, the spotlight falls on a unique and complex pas de deux between two global powerhouses. It's not a Broadway show, but it's surely a spectacle worth watching. Enter the stage, President Xi Jinping of China, whose diplomatic waltz through Moscow raises eyebrows and questions alike.

China's High-Stakes Visit to Russia

Today, we find ourselves amidst the gripping saga of President Xi's visit to Russia. This diplomatic overture comes at a time when Ukraine's plight takes center stage in the global theater. The burning question on everyone's mind: will Beijing provide Moscow with the much-needed military support? It's a question that's been on everyone's lips ever since China floated its "Peace Plan" over a year ago, before the thunderous military campaign in Ukraine began.

The world watches with bated breath as China, on one hand, remains neutral, refraining from condemning or openly endorsing the invasion. On the other hand, it extends diplomatic support to Russia. It's a fine balancing act that China is trying to maintain, but it's a delicate tightrope walk, where the balance can shift under the weight of Western skepticism.

The Art of Diplomatic Discretion

China's commitment to territorial integrity and sovereignty, be it for Ukraine or any other nation, is a cornerstone of their foreign policy. This principle, while ostensibly clear, has become an enigmatic labyrinth. Beijing calls for the respect of every country's territorial integrity, including Ukraine, but refrains from insisting on Russia's withdrawal from Ukrainian soil.

This nuanced approach is baffling and confounds observers. It's akin to saying, "We support your sovereignty, but we won't push for the aggressor to leave your land." The fine line between neutrality and support is where China's true intentions lie.

China's Arsenal of Ambiguity

A burning question that's keeping strategists up at night is whether China will provide offensive military hardware to Moscow, similar to how Iran has been supplying drones and missiles to Russia. While the short-term probability of China providing combat tanks or advanced missile systems seems low, the realm of covert arms transfers is a murky domain that shouldn't be underestimated.

One hypothetical scenario suggests that China might discreetly provide outdated, Russian-made weaponry from their stockpiles, thereby enabling plausible deniability. In the world of international relations, shifting the labels on arms manufacturing plants can make tracing the origin of such weaponry an almost insurmountable challenge. It would be a diplomatic coup, serving China with a plausible escape route from potential culpability.

The Elusive Path to Peace

Amidst this symphony of ambiguity, it becomes evident that President Xi's visit to Russia is more about securing a seat at the table in any future conflict resolution rather than being a harbinger of peace. It's a move that hints at China's desire to be a key player in any forthcoming solution to the Ukraine crisis.

But the world's gaze isn't limited to this high-stakes diplomatic dance. It's also transfixed on Washington, where President Biden has expressed his wish to engage with President Xi Jinping. This call for dialogue hasn't yet found a responsive note in Beijing. The challenge now is for both sides to orchestrate a conversation that could potentially be a diplomatic triumph.

In this global opera of ever-evolving geopolitics, China's role, while shrouded in ambiguity, is undeniable. The question remains: will China's participation lead to an operatic climax of peace or remain a mere intermission in the ongoing turmoil? The symphony of international relations is rife with surprise crescendos, and as the world looks on, we can only hope that the final movement resonates with the sweet harmonies of peace.