China postpones evacuation of citizens from Ukraine, says 'wait until it is safe'

Amid ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, China’s envoy to Ukraine Fan Xianrong on Sunday said that present situation in country was too unsafe for evacuation and hence called on citizens to stay indoors until arrangements are me. Assuring that Chinese ambassors will t ‘leave behind’  citizens in Ukraine, envoy also sought to dismiss rumours that he left Kyiv in face of Russian military aggression. 

In a nine-minute-long video posted on embassy’s official WeChat account, Fan assured that embassy would make arrangements for Chinese citizens to leave Ukraine but asked to 'wait until it is safe '. According to Chinese state media, Global Times, Fan said that presently, evacuation would be difficult due to intense fighting taking place between both Russian and Ukrainian forces. 

It is to te here that Fan spoke about postponing evacuation of citizens just days after embassy said it would prepare plans to help people leave after Russia launched its offensive on Ukraine on Thursday. In mess posted on Sunday, Chinese ambassor to Ukraine asked citizens to help out each or. He said, “At present, China is more united and stronger than at any time in history. We Chinese, matter where we go, must show this spirit”.

Furr, rejecting rumours about him leaving Kyiv, Fan said, “I want to make it clear that Chinese ambassors will never leave Chinese people behind on ir own. This is t how Chinese ambassors are like, and is t how members of Communist Party of China are like!”

Fan also raised concerns over situation in Ukraine becoming more difficult in recent days with ‘constant sounds of sirens, explosions and gunfire, and re may be many unpredictable changes in coming days,’ as per report. Chinese envoy also said, “To be honest, everyone will feel worried and scared in face of se challenges” and called on embassy staffers and Chinese people to strictly follow safety precautions such as staying indoors, avoiding windows when indoors among ors. 

He also stressed that Chinese citizens should avoid confrontations with local people or record scenes out of curiosity and stay away from military-related personnel or facilities. Fan ted that Chinese Communist Party and government are always concerned about safety of ir people. He said, “In past few days, most domestic instructions I received were to protect our own compatriots. most important work we do every day and night is to ensure safety of every Chinese in Ukraine. So I ask all of you to have confidence that Chinese embassy will never leave you behind."

Chinese diplomat says national sovereignty 'applies to Ukraine issue'

Earlier, a Chinese diplomat defended country's long-standing position on protecting national sovereignty while ding that it "applies to Ukraine issue". Liu Xiaoming, Chinese government's special representative on Korean peninsula affairs wrote, "China firmly believes that sovereignty & territorial integrity of all countries should be respected & protected and purposes & principles of ( UN Charter) abided by in real earnest. This position of China is consistent & clear-cut, and applies equally to Ukraine issue".

Im: AP