China Backs Russia Against Ukraine, NATO
 

China Backs Russia Against Ukraine, NATO
By: John Feng - Newsweek News - 01-26-22
Re: https://www.newsweek.com/china-backs...3100?piano_t=1

China has thrown its considerable political weight behind Russia in President Vladimir Putin's standoff with Ukraine, describing NATO as outdated and calling on the West to consider Moscow's "legitimate security concerns."

At a press briefing on Wednesday, China's state news service Xinhua asked Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian about remarks by Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who said Russia's demand that the alliance not expand its membership was a "non-starter."

Speaking on January 10, after unsuccessful NATO-Russia Council talks in Geneva, Sherman said: "We will not allow anyone to slam closed NATO's open-door policy."

In Beijing, Zhao spoke disparagingly of the alliance as a "Cold War remnant."

He said: "As the world's largest military alliance, NATO should abandon the outdated Cold War mentality and ideological bias, and do things that are conducive to upholding peace and stability."

"China firmly opposes all kinds of small cliques," he added, before calling on parties to "fully consider each other's legitimate security concerns, avoid antagonism and confrontation, and properly address differences and disputes through equal consultation on the basis of mutual respect."

Beijing's decision to take a side publicly comes as some 100,000 Russian troops and heavy armor are massed on Ukraine's eastern border. Moscow says it does not intend to invade; Kyiv says Russia's current force posture is insufficient for a full-scale invasion.

This Statista chart compares Russian and Ukrainian military forces.
Chart Link: On the bottom of this report.
https://www.newsweek.com/china-backs...deshow/1975448
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Personal note: Based on the specifics of weaponry & ground forces - it will be slaughter
without NATO support. The Chart link shows the military imbalances which are significant
to say the least - it will be one-side slaughter - NATO needs to move quickly to deter
the Soviet's slaughtering Ukrainian forces.