China’s delicate position on Russia-Ukraine crisis and its opposition to Western sanctions

The United States and its allies have been leveraging their economic power to punish Moscow for invading Ukraine, making Russia the world’s most-sanctioned nation. Yet China has said that its ties with Russia remain “rock solid” and that it intends to continue normal trade with Moscow. Beijing has repeatedly opposed “illegal” sanctions against Russia by the West. Chinese officials said the US-led Nato military alliance has pushed tensions to “breaking point” and has called for peace talks with…