The Chinese authorities expressed their objections to the statements made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who emphasized that Beijing is aware of the recruitment of its citizens to participate in the war against Russia. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs described these remarks as “irresponsible comments.”
This is reported by Kyiv24
The comments from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs came the day after Zelensky stated that Ukrainian intelligence has information about 155 Chinese citizens fighting alongside Russian forces. These statements were made following the release of a video in which Ukrainian soldiers claim to have captured two Chinese mercenaries in eastern Ukraine.
“We would advise the relevant parties to correctly and clearly recognize China’s role and refrain from irresponsible comments,” said ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.
Zelensky noted in his statements that Beijing is turning a blind eye to the recruitment process of Chinese citizens by Russia, claiming that this is happening through social media, particularly TikTok, where recruitment advertisements are being disseminated.
“Official Beijing is aware of this. Recruitment advertisements are being spread by Russians through Chinese social media,” emphasized the President of Ukraine.
Zelensky also reported that after recruitment, Chinese citizens arrive in Moscow, where they undergo medical examinations and training. He stated that there is currently confirmation of the involvement of Chinese mercenaries in the war, although Beijing denies sending its citizens for combat operations.
Earlier, there were reports on social media about the presence of Chinese citizens fighting alongside Russian troops. According to preliminary estimates, about one hundred Chinese citizens have already gone to Ukraine to participate in combat operations.
It was noted that the database of hospitals of the Russian Ministry of Defense contained information about the injuries of Chinese mercenaries serving in the Russian military.
Zelensky also instructed the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to contact China to clarify the government’s position regarding the captured citizens. The captives are currently under the control of the Security Service of Ukraine, and an investigation is ongoing.
In response to the situation, the temporary chargé d’affaires of China was summoned to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for explanations. The U.S. State Department also expressed concern regarding the capture of Chinese citizens fighting on the side of Russia.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously reported that it is verifying information about the capture of its citizens in Ukraine.