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| People fleeing from the conflict in Ukraine drive cars heading to the Ukraine-Romania border near Cernivtsi, Ukraine, on Mar 1, 2022. (File photo by: AP/IHA Photo) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] BEIJING: Beijing's embassy in Ukraine announced on Monday (Mar 7) that most of the approximately 6,000 Chinese nationals previously in the country had been evacuated, as Russia stepped up the shelling of multiple cities, AFP reported.
In the weeks leading up to the conflict, Chinese state media dismissed United States warnings of an imminent Russian invasion. Unlike many Western nations, Beijing waited until after war broke out on Feb 24 to tell its citizens to evacuate.China has walked a diplomatic tightrope during the crisis, refusing to condemn its close ally Russia, which has been targeted by a barrage of international sanctions.
Some Chinese citizens have reported hostility or violence from locals over the Chinese government's perceived support of Moscow.China's foreign minister urged Ukraine to "assume its due international responsibility" in keeping Chinese citizens safe, during a call with his Ukrainian counterpart last week.
Last week, China's foreign ministry said that it had helped around 3,000 Chinese nationals to evacuate, mostly via land transport after Ukraine closed its airspace.In recent days, there have been reports of Russian soldiers violating ceasefire agreements and targeting civilians, as besieged cities attempt to set up humanitarian corridors for evacuation purposes.
