China is such a powerful force in the world that Ukraine must find a way to work and trade effectively with the world’s most populous nation, with 1.4 billion people, and second largest economy, at $12 trillion and set to surpass the United States before long.
But Ukraine must also be mindful of who its friends and enemies are. Russia is truly the only enemy that Ukraine has in this world. China, however, is neither friend nor enemy, but rather aggressive mercantilists who see opportunities in Ukrainian agriculture, high technology and defense sectors. China also may loan or invest $1 trillion in its Belt and Road Initiative economy in many nations around the world.
Ukraine desperately needs investment in infrastructure, from ports to railways and roads. But Ukraine should also study the examples of Pakistan, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, who found that China’s conditions for loans or expected return on investment was too high — threatening the nations with a “debt trap” or economic colonization.
Politically, China says it supports Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. But how does it support these values? By cozying up to Moscow, it appears, as the front-page photo of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin shows during their Sept. 11 meeting in Russia’s Far East. Rather than sacrificing economic, political or military ties with Russia, as Ukraine’s friends in the West have done, China is deepening its relationship with Russia. This is not what friends do.
The Kyiv Post interviewed Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine Du Wei in this edition’s special “World in Ukraine: China” focus. He is a cordial professional who articulately explains and defends his country’s position. But he can’t disguise the fact that China’s relationship with Russia matters more than its relationship with Ukraine.
Still, trade and political ties should be advanced, but cautiously.
