China concerned by Washington expelling UN diplomats
Beijing has said on Wednesday it’s worried about the US decision to expel twelve Russian representatives to the United Nations. It claimed that the US, being the host country of the UN Headquarters, should provide due convenience and guarantee normal operations for the Permanent Missions of UN member states.
“The Chinese side is concerned about the US side’s actions and hopes that the US side will make a detailed explanation on this,” Wang Wenbin, spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said during an official press conference.
“[The US] should not abuse the power of the host country and make unilateral decisions at will,” he added.
On Monday, the US issued a statement, saying that twelve representatives of the Russian Permanent Mission to the New York-based United Nations were to be expelled from the country, amid tensions between Russia and the Western countries because of the Russian offensive in Ukraine.
Earlier this week, the Chinese spokesperson confirmed that Beijing was to maintain trade relations with Moscow despite international sanctions.
Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine last Thursday, claiming it has had to use force to stop Ukrainian armed forces from attacking the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Lugansk, as well as to demilitarize and “denazify” the country.
Kiev and Western countries condemned Russia for committing an act of unprovoked aggression. Western sanctions imposed against Moscow in retaliation are intended to seriously impact the Russian economy, and the UN has adopted a resolution condemning Russian actions in Ukraine and demanding it immediately withdraw its troops.
