China Urges Embassy in Beijing to Remove Signs of Support for Ukraine

China has requested foreign embassies and international organizations based in Beijing not to use the external walls of their buildings to put up signs demonstrating support for Ukraine.

This was reported by the Kyodonews agency.

Many embassies in Beijing have installed signs with the Ukrainian flag and inscriptions in Chinese and English, such as #StandWithUkraine, to show their solidarity with the country, which has been fighting against the Russian invasion since last February.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry notice urged embassies and international organizations not to use the outward walls of their buildings for propaganda and to “avoid causing conflicts between states.”

The action provoked a negative reaction from diplomats in Europe and other regions, and none of them has removed the signs.

Embassies in Beijing showing support for Ukraine include Canada, Germany, and Poland.

The warning also states that embassies and international organizations “are obliged to comply with Chinese laws and regulations,” although Beijing respects diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Meanwhile, an unnamed European diplomat criticized China's position, stating that there were no reasonable grounds to prevent the state from expressing its intentions and that they would not comply with the notice.

It will be recalled that China has sent a special envoy to Ukraine, Russia, Poland, France, and Germany to facilitate peace negotiations over the war in Ukraine. But the critics doubt whether Beijing will be able to mediate because of its close ties with Moscow.