China will send a special envoy to Ukraine, Russia and other European countries starting Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, AFP reports.
It is the first time a high-ranking representative from China has visited Ukraine since the Russian invasion began last year.
– Starting May 15, Ambassador Li Hui, Special Representative of the Chinese Government for Eurasian Affairs, will visit Ukraine, Poland, France, Germany and Russia to communicate with all parties on the political solution to the Ukraine crisis, Wenbin said during a press conference on Friday.
According to Wenbin, Li Hui’s visit to the countries shows China’s “commitment to promoting peace and dialogue”. He also states that the country is ready to continue to assume the constructive role that he believes China has had so far.
– China is willing to continue to play a constructive role in building more international consensus on ceasefire, cessation of war, initial peace talks and avoidance of escalation of the situation, he says.
Received medal from Putin
However, the selection of Li Hui as special envoy has been questioned. Between 2009 and 2019, he was China’s ambassador to Russia – and before leaving Moscow, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Friendship by President Vladimir Putin.
Hui will be the first representative from China to visit Ukraine since Russia launched the invasion.