China is flexing its diplomatic muscles once more as it plans to use its commemorative military parade in Beijing as a means to bolster its relationship with Ukraine, reported the Global Times. This follows the country’s move of forming a security partnership in Russia to counter American influence in the Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe.
The military parade will take place on Sept. 3 to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
Beijing subtly supported Moscow last year by not condemning the annexation of Crimea to further its plans of forming a partnership with Russia to counter the U.S.'s influence in the Asia-Pacific Region.
On the other hand, the Feodosia Shipbuilding Company, which manufactures the Zubr-class air-cushioned landing craft that is vital for China's maritime power projection, changed from Ukrainian leadership to Russian hands, forcing Beijing to restart negotiations with Russia to secure four vessels it had purchased from the company when it was still managed by Ukraine.
Another obstacle is on the way, however, as the four landing craft that China bought require five Kuznetsov NK-12MV gas turbines, which unfortunately the now Moscow-run Feodosia cannot produce. To overcome the hurdle, Beijing has to woo Kiev despite China's policy of non-interference, which strained the political relationship between China and Ukraine since the Crimean annexation.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko already met at the 45th World Economic Forum earlier this year, with the former expressing respect for Ukrainian territorial integrity. Poroshenko was also invited to attend China's memorial parade in September.
Ukraine, however, is working hard to establish a stronger partnership with the United States to ward off further interference from Russia. Despite this, Cui Hongjian, a researcher from the China Institute of International Studies, is optimistic that China will be able to remain on good terms with Russia and Ukraine.