China upholds its relationship with Russia, says negotiations needed to solve Ukraine conflict

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at a news conference after restoring diplomatic ties with Kiribati on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, U.S. September 27, 2019.

Beijing's relationship with Moscow was emphasized in a press conference by the Chinese Foreign Minister.

Wang said that the China-Russia relationship is valued for its independence.

The foreign minister referred to the joint statement between the Chinese and Russian presidents as a "new era" of international relations. There were no limits or forbidden areas in the statement.

Wang said Monday in Mandarin that China and Russia oppose attempts to revive the Cold War mindset or provoke ideology-based confrontation.

The bilateral relationship was separate from China's relations with other countries. He said that the Red Cross Society of China would provide emergency supplies to Ukraine as soon as possible.

Wang said that China's relationship with Russia is not related to Europe. He said that the relationship between Beijing and Taiwan is separate from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Beijing maintains that Taiwan is part of China's internal affairs.

The Chinese government has made it clear that it wants to reunify with Taiwan. The island off the coast of mainland China is self-governed but claimed by the People's Republic of China.

Beijing has tried to distance itself from Russia since the war began. China's foreign ministry refused to call the violence an invasion, and maintained that negotiations were needed for resolution.

Wang repeated the same positions in his statements to reporters as part of an annual public appearance on the sidelines of a parliamentary meeting. The briefing this year covered China's relations with the U.S., European Union, India, Latin America, Middle East and Africa.

The Chinese foreign minister said that the U.S. should work to restore relations with China.

Wang claimed that the U.S. is trying to establish a version of NATO for countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean.

According to a statement from China's foreign ministry, Wang said the situation has reached a point that China did not wish to see.

According to the readout, Wang said that negotiations are necessary for resolving the situation.

The Secretary noted the world is watching to see which nations stand up for the basic principles of freedom, self-determination and sovereignty.

Price said that the world is acting in unison to repudiate and respond to the Russian aggression, ensuring that Moscow will pay a high price.