China has firmly rejected Ukraine’s claims that Chinese nationals are fighting for Russia in the ongoing war. A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Lin Jian, called the allegations “totally unfounded.” During a press conference on Wednesday, Lin emphasized that China has been playing a “constructive role in politically resolving the Ukraine crisis” and reiterated that the Chinese government advises its citizens to stay away from conflict zones and refrain from participating in any military activities, particularly those involving any of the parties in the war.
The issue arose after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the Ukrainian military had captured two Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces in the eastern Donetsk region. Zelensky also claimed to have information suggesting that there were “significantly more” Chinese nationals involved with Russian military units. He posted a video of the captured individuals in handcuffs on social media, fueling the controversy.
While the claim remains unverified, it has sparked tensions, with China firmly maintaining that its citizens are not involved in the conflict and urging them to avoid any engagement in armed conflicts abroad.