Former PLA officer says China is restraining Russia over use of nuclear weapons | FT

Former senior colonel in China's People's Liberation Army Zhou Bo talks to the FT's global China editor James Kynge about Beijing's leverage with Moscow, how China's influence can prevent the use of nuclear weapons in Europe and why it wants a strong relationship with Europe even in the face of increased competition with the US. Read more at on.ft.com/3FhJeG6
#china #war #geopolitics #beijing #internationalpolitics #globalpolitics #globalsecurity #internationalrelations #strategicinfluence #foreignpolicy #diplomacy #russia #russiaukrainewar
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[@zelosmiman5533]

I really appreciate that the interviewer doesnt interrupt the guest, interview with a class, thank you financial times.

[@genoateam1]

Doesn't he resemble the travel expert Rick Steves a lot??

[@georgewong1837]

The interviewer is an exception. He is calm and cool and got the best out of his guest.

[@LA-kc7ev]

A difficult interview handled with true skill.

[@user-pr1ll1zy4n]

The interviewer interrupts whenever the guest sounds like he is going to say something good about China and when guest is about to say something detrimental about the west. China should not be required to encourage Putin to stop war. All that is required is for Biden to say "everyone stop!" and for the west to cease sending armaments to Ukraine!

[@ekesandras1481]

Writing from Eastern Europe I can tell you that all the smaller countries from Estonia in the North to Romania and Bulgaria in the South are very happy that they are in NATO at this moment, unlike Ukraine. The Western Europeans were hesitant back in the days, but the Eastern Europeans urged to join. It was not a conspiracy invented in the Pentagon or in Bruxelles. The former Warsaw Pact nations wanted it, because they know the Russians very well.

[@luisvillafane3950]

There’s a little bit backwards thinking in your argument, don’t you think? I can fully understand why the Eastern European countries wanted to join the EU in the 90s (mainly for economic reasons since Russia at that time did not represent any security risk) but the point made here is that the Western Europeans and the US should had foreseen that the constant push east of NATO will eventually blow out in their face and that’s exactly what happens not for lack of warning from the Russians. So, the West it is also partly responsible for what is happening right now.

[@videosandrehome]

👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

[@videosandrehome]

@@luisvillafane3950 never trust 🇷🇺. You don't know the political culture. Communists just changed. Not removed.

[@lychan2366]

How I wish that your views and many others in Eastern Europe can exert a greater voice. Your message should be targeted at those who harp on NATO encroachment towards Russia and thus it's the west fault for provoking Russia's war on Ukraine. In focusing on East versus West, or dictatorships versus democracies, these contrarians often downplay or overlook the wishes of the governed masses. How many lives have been liquidated or languished in the gulags in the USSR and Russia during and since Stalin's time? Since the fall of the USSR, why did more and more former Soviet and Eastern European states join NATO, instead of begging Moscow to remain under its control and influence? This is something dictators and dictatorships, by their very nature, will never appreciate. A person is not a leader without followers. Any government in any political system or society or any era should serve the governed masses; not the other way round. Just look at how many Russian men are voting with their feet, by fleeing Russia. Dictators should ask themselves; do they like to take their own medicine?

[@luisvillafane3950]

@@videosandrehome I can perfectly understand that due to history, Eastern European countries are afraid, sometimes irrationally, of Russia, but that is something that should not have affected the decisions of the West. Angela Merkel herself recently said that the reason she blocked Ukraine's NATO entry in 2008 was because she knew that trying to bring Ukraine into NATO would be seen by Putin as a declaration of war. The now CIA director, Bill Burns, said at the time that Ukrane was for the Russians: "the brightest of all the red lines." So the Chinese are quite right in their assessment.

[@rhondaratsey4151]

The question is not "Can China stop Russia?" The question is: Can anybody at all stop the US and NATO?

[@thecandidemrsinus8169]

#TrollfabrikStPetersburg

[@liberty_and_justice67]

Russian bot

[@nolongerblocked6210]

The answer is an obvious "no" that's why this Chinese/CCP shill mentions no need for NATO. He knows without NATO China has a chance to try & take over the world...but with NATO they'd be smashed

[@padredemishijos12]

Fantastical tale. Reality free.

[@jaimhaas5170]

Exactly. THis whole thing is flawed from the start.

[@JG-zt3cg]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@SocialHigh]

This warmongering propagandist reporter was shocked when he was told it was America/NATO who started this conflict 😂

[@JG-zt3cg]

@@SocialHigh was it NATO that invaded Ukraine? Is it NATO bombing civilians in Ukraine?

[@GV1LD]

@@JG-zt3cg was it NATO who expanded eastward after giving Gorbachev guarantees, verbal and written, not to? was it NATO who were funding and training the most expansive army in europe both in terms of personnel and materiel for the last 8 years on russias border? was it NATO that funded this army which has been bombing civilians in donetsk for the last 8 years? was it ukraine that violated the Minsk agreements on uncountable occasions according to OSCE? was it ukraine who in march 2021 gave assent to an act of parliament which mandated that crimea MUST be "de-occupied" signalling an imminent invasion of russian territory?

[@mqh8879]

Actually great interview, you don't see many of them nowadays where we gain insight of someone's opinion rather than a non-sens debate with polarizing views.

[@putra4101]

No limit friendship, but with terms and condition apply 🙃

[@jetli740]

I am sure you will do tthe same, if your friend jump off the clift you not likely to follow him Ignorance know no bound

[@jayzhang7527]

For example, the USA betrayed Taiwan in 1979 and may do again in the future. There are no real friends forever, but interests.

[@rambleon2838]

@@jayzhang7527 and the Chinese betrayed Hong Kong. Apparently, Taiwan and Hong Kong don't want to wear Chinese shoes.

[@user-hv9vn4fi4w]

😉😉😉 when Ch & Ru "setup" the operation "a Wise Mandarin in frozen city" yet month ego!... ❣️

[@Actias1974]

They have a China first policy over there I hear. They wear red hats and everything

[@vince6495]

What a waste of my time

[@tutuapojp8742]

thank you for this interview conducted with a true remarkable quality , the interviewer didn't try to impose his own point of view and the guest is calme skilled but not dogmatic . This gives a opportunity for the others to see from china's prospective . Thank you FT!

[@MinhNguyen-mr5of]

Did this guy just quote Spider-Man?

[@dwall2]

hahha i noticed that, very odd!

[@ruimineiro746]

More exactly Spider-Man's uncle

[@user-hv9vn4fi4w]

If he is never been in army...

[@huajiluhai]

@@dwall2 noticed that too, but it make a lot of senses 😂

[@revelationthe7sealsarecrac981]

The bottom line is almost half of Europe went under the communist chains after ww2. Those same countries experienced freedom after the fall of the soviet union and they don't want to lose it. There is no difference to Nazi and communists. The right to join a defensive alliance should be universal

[@Norbutsering1993]

Some still have opinion about how unbiased Zhou is.....Zhou should try live in China

[@russcraig1216]

Putin told us his reasons for war and they didn't mention NATO. He argued that Ukraine isn't a real country, Ukraine has "always been Russian", Ukrainians are Russians, Russian speaking people need defended wherever they are, and in Ukraine they need defended from Nazis led by a Jew. This was his casus belli. Later when it was clear that the Russian Army was failing he blamed NATO (a mutual defence pack) expansion (not invading neighbours but countries freely joining as they fear a militaristic and expansionist Russia). This was the start of his NATO bogeyman to unite domestic opinion against a common enemy and create a "your either with us or against us" environment in Russia so the people wouldn't turn on the dictator. It may seem like a very weak argument but fear of invasion is a powerful motivator, look at all his European neighbours who have rushed to NATO and the ones that once his resources are deflected start to make overtures to the West. The Russian Federation is a very uneasy alliance held together by Russia's relative might.

[@newreality7513]

End of Terrorrussia in it's current borders and it's nuclear possession would be the only way to lift sanctions. 🍿🍿🍿

[@snake21ab]

and now by the media state , they are satanists too lol o, and cannibals ... i forgot about cannibals

[@mattbowdenuh]

It's not even hard to poke holes in that either lol For one, if the Russian Federation is the state for all ethnic Russians, then what of all the minorities who lives inside the Russian Federation? Is it no longer their country? Is it no longer a multi-ethnic federation? And if Nazis are the reason, then why did he do a prisoner swap with members of the Azov Battalion? If NATO expansion was the reason, then why is it completely fine for Finland and Sweden to join NATO? If "protecting Russians" was the reason, then why did you abandon Kherson, which you annexed just before you retreated from it? I swear, if anybody in Russia was allowed to ask questions, it would be a hilarious press conference.

[@techpiller2558]

Russia should split up to smaller nations like in Europe. Why have one big power hungry nation? Each smaller nation could have their own opinions and allies. Centralized power < decentralized power. A smaller nation is way more agile to handle its own things. If we didn't have all these massive superpowers, then maybe UN could work. We could just send peacekeepers to enforce peace between two smaller troublemakers, instead of having to deal with egotistical giants on steroids and delusions of self-grandeur.

[@montecristo7203]

exactly , putin is just going on deny of nation based on his vision, just like hitler denied jews and romas, so where are this hitlers protectors. back then who would argue that he. feld threat from. sionist conspiracies? So why they crawl out now defending that Russia was under threat from NATO? Maybe threat from peaceful UKraine?

[@keithfernandez8965]

Classy interview. thank you.

[@carolbricker4434]

NATO made me do it.

[@putra4101]

Alright gramps, back to house and enjoy the tv.

[@Rach1941]

Actually, Carol is correct. Russia does not fear NATO encroachment on their borders. What they fear is the spread of Western ideas and desire for democracy to the Russian population. Putin the dictator felt threatened by Ukraine and so decided to invade and control it.

[@jaimhaas5170]

U doubt truth?

[@SlayerEddyTV]

If you look at how the world voted for sanctions to Russia you would see the majority did not support the sanctions against Russia, and those that did vote against the sanctions have made it very clear they do not support Russia's war but they also see NATO's part in this which began long before the war in Ukraine.

[@manthanpatel6295]

@@SlayerEddyTV lol 😂🤣🤣 majority did because of pressure from the west... No one intrested in this war...

[@Bigsmallcountry]

This colonel is smarter than many keyboard warriors here 😄

[@Confucius_Says...]

6月4日天安门大屠杀

[@Bigsmallcountry]

@@Confucius_Says... 1945年8月6日 日本原子弹

[@rambleon2838]

@@Bigsmallcountry you are confuseius 🤣

[@jagdpanther2224]

Don't call him Colonel, he is no more!

[@kschuman1152]

The issue of whether liberal democracy is rising or falling in influence around the world is not the relevant question. The question is, is it better to live in a country where you are free to make the most important decisions that affect your own and your families life, to be free to express your thoughts and opinions, or is it better to live in an authoritarian mind-control state based around a cult of the leader's personality? It is the world order created by the US and the West that has allowed countries like China and India to have enjoyed massive economic growth, lifting their peoples out of poverty; it is only envy and lust for prestige and power on the part of the individual tyrants that run China and Russia that has led to all this insidious propaganda about the decline of the west and a new world order. Russia's intelligence services knew full well that neither Europe, the US, or "NATO" seeks conflict with Russia. The west would like Russia to stop interfering in it's elections and stop spreading divisive propaganda, but that is I think something that China and Russia should be able understand were they themselves willing to 'walk in the shoes' of these countries. But this does not reflect a desire for military confrontation. The facts on the ground show that the number of troops and forward deployed troops in NATO countries has been steadily dwindling from peak levels of the early 1980s. This has of course changed now that Putin has demonstrated a willingness to engage in the type of savage brutality that everyone wishes were no longer even thinkable in the 21st century. NATO's necessity is now obvious, whereas before the invasion it's armies had been assuming a lasting peace throughout Europe. NATO would have long ago disbanded or at least faded to insignificance if not for Putin's clear tendency towards militarism and Russian Imperialism, (invading several countries to repress independence movements and/or democratic tendencies over the last two decades). Putin has simply launched a ruthless invasion of a smaller weaker neighbor to fulfill one man's vanity as he attempts to staunch his paranoia about having a free country anywhere near his domain, as such counties might eventually influence Russian politics and lead to his overthrow and just execution for the many murders and countless billions of rubles he has stolen from the Russian people.

[@user-rp1qv6nu3c]

love from afghanistan😇🥲

[@ranjithpowell6791]

What rubbish. I want to live in a country with trains and hospitals, roads that aren’t broken and where I don’t get shot or stabbed. I really don’t give a hoot whether Democracy or Autocracy delivers the goods.

[@Aaronbusnell]

Nonsense

[@ecoideazventures6417]

@@ranjithpowell6791 Then please emigrate to China or Russia soon. Please check how many people are already doing that :)

[@kschuman1152]

@@user-rp1qv6nu3c I would suggest that the majority of the population of Afghanistan (the women) rue the day the US pulled its troops out of the country. Most of them cannot publicly state their opinion to that affect, as the country is now run by a repressive government with a 12th century mentality.

[@donchong25]

CHOOSE PEACE AND PROSPER

[@m.ch4rmaland3r10]

Great dialogue and sharing perspective from Zhou but some time not answer the question

[@user-hv9vn4fi4w]

Because Chine doesn't care of Ukraine and never touch this point with Russia. So Russua not touch China and India affairs. It's just interview.

[@jagdpanther2224]

He was reading a script!

[@leoflores2874]

The Chinese guest failed to mention the fact the smaller countries join alliances to avoid “might is right justice” from larger neighbor countries. Free people prefer laws promulgated by the people not dictators. NATO provides that, while China, North Korea, and Russia work to undermine those alliances. Your guest is a case in point.

[@myla6135]

I think the point he was making is that were any country in Europe who was on good terms with the US (or in its sphere of influence) then the US would step in to help without a formal alliance. As such he felt the alliance was unnecessary. I think he may not be right there. The US would only step in if it was in its interests. On the other hand, the US has stepped up if not stepped in, with Ukraine even though it is not part of Nato. So maybe he has a point.

[@SpectacularSuperSoup]

My wife and I both come from families that have directly suffered at the hands of Russian/Soviet aggression, occupation, and domination, several times in different countries, going back centuries. People lambast NATO for expanding, but from the perspective of the small nations in the so-called Bloodlands, we need protection from the neighbor to the east, or calamity will come to our families once again. Closing off NATO is like leaving someone alone in a cage with a hungry bear.

[@bollywoodsuperhero664]

This is not the right tone begging for help .

[@deebil8099]

I love how the 2nd largest country doesn't like it when smaller nations ally with the largest nation on earth because it makes it harder for them to lean on all the smaller countries. They managed to make enemies with pretty much every country on earth with their stupid wolf warrior diplomacy. They bully every smaller nation and then are mad that they side with the U.S....

[@BSPBuilder]

Tell that to Iraq. Where was the WMD after 20 years?

[@tonygold1661]

Very interesting. Zhou Bo has a perspective we do not hear enough in the Western media.

[@gregallen485]

Probably because China's authoritarian regime under Pres. Xi is completely antithetical to Europe's views on rule of law and personal freedoms. No amount of sugar coating can alter this fundamental reality. Putin has clearly demonstrated the dangers of ignoring that difference for the sake of financial expediency.

[@kjensen7819]

Because it is completely bullocks... Ukraine was never on the way to become member of Nato.

[@TheNefastor]

Because we clearly don't want CCP propaganda around here. China would like to see NATO end for the same reason Russia would. Keep in mind they have every intention of invading Taiwan, and might have done it already if not for seeing what NATO is helping Ukraine doing to Russia. This interview is the same as asking a criminal why he thinks police shouldn't exist.

[@noneyabeeysnass8283]

Sure, fine. But the only good take was that China’s influence on Russia is important. Ok, and? China is Russia’s largest ally, so they should be an important influence. As far as the West’s Democracy influence in decline, the best way to strengthen it is by acting adversarial against the West as China has been for decades. China has proven in many ways to be a hostile economic partner of the West, by refusing to fully allow intellectual property rights to exist, currency devaluation, and military expansion. China is biting the hands that has been feeding them for decades and now that the West is biting back we have to hear from this ‘intellectual’ that we’re a “declining” power? Man, please!

[@Justin87878]

@@noneyabeeysnass8283 military expansion = are you saying NATO?

[@adamcathcart]

Interesting when pressed at 5:41 for more detail about China's opposition to Russian nuclear use i.e., Kynge asks "is this a conscious effort by China at the moment, or is it sort of a passive wish that China has that Russia should restrain itself from any scenariou in which it might use nuclear weapons?"

[@adamcathcart]

Zhou's response: China has a big economy, is on the UNSC, so thinks about humanity and 'voicing its voice' and showing humanity what is right and 'what is the forbidden things that should never be carried out.' But there are sympathies for Russia in the global south, so let's not treat the Western perspective as normative, 'we have to think of a global response in this matter.'

[@adamcathcart]

he then calls for the abolition of NATO, this is anti-realpolitik

[@adamcathcart]

nice fantasy included about China's international image not being harmed by its position on Ukraine war -- compares China to India, says 'West is becoming less Western', citing a Munich Security Conference panel, says liberal democracy has been in decline 'for 50 or 60 years'

[@adamcathcart]

He concludes the interview by walking back slightly on his earlier complaint that the Ukraine war was bad for Belt and Road Initiative, saying Chinese firms could play a crucial role in rebuilding postwar Ukraine (being not sure who caused the damage) and the BRI could get a nice boost from more contracts. Wow!

[@HTeo-og1lg]

@@adamcathcart . Neo-Cons in the US would agree whole-heartedly that liberal democracy is so very passé (anachronistic) as to be anti-"freedom". ps. There is no sensible freedom without being free from economic constrain.

[@whitemoon5752]

Thank you FT, for bringing someone from China so that we could hear alternative views other than which is dominated by mainstream media in the west.

[@user-yt4no9bf2g]

China Rassia alais against Ukraine against Vestern against USA against EU against Euroop agains Internehcsenal World Order against fredom ,disrapting dictatirhcsip in the world !

[@user-fw6no7wm7y]

中国🇨🇳领导人 应该也应该带领14亿人口 像美国🇺🇸俄罗斯🇷🇺一样 轰炸这个世界🌐

[@josephpiskac2781]

Great thanks again FT.

[@H2o143]

As a free human which country would you live , The answer is not China Russia or North Korea

[@kriskalpa6346]

It's interesting to hear a Chinese perspective. I think he's right that we need to try and think globally.

[@TheDavidlloydjones]

We can't help thinking globally: the world market is one and international culture is as old as the Silk Road -- connecting the Roman Empire to its sources of silk and purple dye. Even today's stupid yobboes yowling against some notional globalism going boing-boing-boing inside their empty heads are thinking globally: they are engaging with the entire world as it actually exists.

[@jagdpanther2224]

No more globalization after Trump!

[@achangyw]

No one can predict the future. Not a good idea to push Russia into a corner. In such situation Russia will do what it takes to achieve intended target and China can do nothing to help or prevent it from happening. China will just standby and refuse to interfere. Ukraine and Russia should go for a negotiated peace imho. Christmas time, peace on earth and goodwill to all people.

[@allanbengtsen7991]

Certainly china will not stand by we miss the good old putin and we miss the sport we had together for so many years we want to compete with russia in sports its so lame cuz of a patch of land and russia has so much land i dont c the logic

[@nicke0b]

Negotiations are currently not possible. Russia is not in a corner, it is invading other countries.

[@huas5350]

Such a person can speak for anyone, as long as there are enough dollars.

[@soup100]

"restrain Russia from using nuclear weapons?" why would Russia use nukes? it would be self-defeating.

[@TheNefastor]

You're forgetting *madness.*

[@thomasgaudette7367]

That was bizarre

[@veronicamaine3813]

Oh farrrrk… wow, when your ally uses your weakness to make themselves look bigger. That special relationship is special indeed 😂

[@charleslee4821]

Yes.China's always in strange position, but if you look at the history you will know why?

[@user-hv9vn4fi4w]

when Ch & Ru "setup" the operation "a Wise Mandarin in frozen city" yet month ego.... Xi and Putin 👍👍👍

[@marsargoxmiso1695]

I love how America for China is always bad or a villain :( I wish we could all get along so many individual players in politics have so much control of our lives right down to our comfort.

[@LSmoney215]

Tell Twain that. Same thing Russia did to Ukraine is the sanding China going to do to Twain and I'll be on my f18:, destroying them if they touch Twain.

[@Colinralphson]

What planet are the ft on????

[@williamadorjan975]

this guy is silly suggesting democracies are on a downward trend, for some reason china adores authoritarianism as a method to increase economical output.

[@horsepilot6655]

Bla Bla Bla Bla Bla. Yes Sir I said everything you wanted me to say 😂

[@pault1289]

I would have liked some conclusions drawn at the end of this piece, but overall a very interesting and insightful interview.

[@harrypass1252]

I would of loved some facts drawn at the end of this piece. Rather then people making out that this Chinese propaganda is fact and truth. When it's just garbage.

[@Eyeameun]

@@harrypass1252 The speaker believes the world should give up on democracy and allow authoritarianism to rule ie. china/russia, so we can enjoy more Ukraine-esque nation building. These two nations are going to put up quite a fight, but will ultimately lose the true battle. And some say that that's already started...

[@NeostormXLMAX]

@@Eyeameun lmao is this what amerimutts conclude?

[@fredfrond6148]

Nice unbiased interview. Unbiased interviews are SOOOOO rare coming from a British media based organization.👍

[@Norbutsering1993]

May be

[@Norbutsering1993]

may be yiu should try unbiased news from China

[@nicktrevi2990]

Can Beijing stop AUKUS?

[@poncho6784]

I’m always fascinated with China, Russia, and Iran’s assertion that democracy is in decline. Is that why we see so many people in those countries risking their lives to protest or flee from totalitarian regimes, while central and Eastern Europeans are either fighting or willingly preparing to fight for their freedoms and democracy in their own countries? I suppose dictators and despots just have a different definition of the word “decline” than what we have in the free world.

[@jetli740]

dictators do you even know what is mean? assert china is a dictator country just mean you know nothing just parrot what you seen on western propaganda

[@user-ml4ok1up4m]

in the free world,big brother is watching you，you are not free. -Edward Snowden

[@weic844]

man you make me speechless. Looks you have been trapped in a desert for years.... open your eyes and update... input news from multi-sources. Please keep your "freedom" & "democracy" home. I don't want to see my country became a next Syria, Afghanistan... If this your job.. quit.. money is not everything. we do need basic morality... really not worth.

[@jayzhang7527]

Deline means the decline in the share of the world's GDP, as other countries are rising in terms of economic power.

[@jayzhang7527]

The West really needs to take a break from running the world, it's good for itself and the world.

[@emmajk7433]

Great interview! Thank you

[@Vilamoura2910]

Two very dangerous paper tigers 🐅

[@martinsapsitis4292]

A very savvy insight and significant interview. Appreciated the thinking given from a Chinese point of view outside the usual west/east politic.

[@TheJamesthe13]

Way to push back…. Did this bit satisfy the Chinese propaganda dept?

[@jademoon1530]

This interview is not for the Chinese public but the collective west? Do your own sincere research without bias.

[@joelewis8770]

you don't really take anything this guy says seriously, do you?

[@jakel8627]

He seems reasonable and thoughtful to me. I don't know why you would say that, did you even watch the video?

[@wf645]

Joe Lewis - Arrogant mindset of Western thought process ...

[@videosandrehome]

Nope

[@yjlim2085]

He is just parroting the CCP's and Xi's position. You should never forget that China is an autoritarian country.

[@rambleon2838]

Pure fascist propaganda. Right wing media will regurgitate his communist ideologies on a 24 hour loop soon. Now, put yourself in Chinese, Indian and Russian shoes?

[@terminalfive3649]

What happened to the Budapest memorandum. Does he even know about the Budapest memorandum.

[@ED-zc2um]

This man is an excellent ambassador for China. He is clear-thinking and articulate in his arguments…. This is a refreshing position regarding China and it’s policy regarding Ukraine

[@mikehedson]

Should have challenged more on NATO. Why did eastern Europe want to join so much? Once again, Eastern European countries seem to have no agency in China's rhetoric.

[@itsgodnga]

interesting how western agreements like nato or the EU are completely voluntary, democratic, and beneficial to all parties involved rather than being forced at gunpoint or economic extortion as is the ruzzian/eastern tradition, and yet this is what is being questioned?

[@nolongerblocked6210]

China only cares to find a way to direct it's hatred towards the US & NATO. They see small independent countries as nothing more than an inconvenience, they only care about the big time players

[@JG-zt3cg]

Well, the guy is Chinese teaching at a Chinese University so I would excuse him for talking so much nonsense.

[@AndorranStairway]

I was wondering why the journalist wasn’t interrupting him, then I realised he wasn’t American

[@davidturnbull310]

Yeah, right.

[@johnteo9566]

Even assuming the war is West or NATO’s fault, is it really so difficult for China to be on record saying national sovereignty of all members of UN is sacred and as a peace-loving nation that China claims to be, it will do something, if not everything, to end the war?

[@Actias1974]

exactly...they wont due to politics. Its all government lip service

[@theolich4384]

As if the US, as a peace-loving rule-abiding nation as it claims to be (ouch), is actively working to end the war. Why would China bother then, knowing the Americans have the gunsight on them _no matter what_ ? Let the Yankees sink in what they're most proficient at: war.

[@exl5eq28]

China didn't do anything to stop the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Argentina and many other nations. China didn't love pease as much as you do.

[@rubbis3742]

Agreed with him.

[@sinocare]

Have you heard of China's peaceful coexistence five principals (和平共处五项原则）？you will find the answer to your question. It has been there since the 1950's.

[@fabius5366]

Silly objection on the inclusion of small nations joining NATO, as the embassador doesn't take in consideration the justified fears and perspective of those same small nations. Moreover Putin seems to be aiming at the recreation of Greater Russia, that is inclusive of Ukraine.

[@mattbowdenuh]

no, no. you dont understand that small nations have no autonomy. all those nations joined NATO because the USA told them to lmao

[@davidmoss2576]

Yes if you believe that I want to sell you a bridge my family owns in London. You think the US took the same view when Cuba a small island country wanted to host missiles?

[@wolfheadedconjuror]

@@mattbowdenuh #clueless

[@NeostormXLMAX]

@@mattbowdenuh its 100% true though, look up the 2 previous ukrainian presidents, the cia sponsored coop destroyed their government

[@andyhughes1776]

But who's restraining the U.S. from using nukes?

[@roadwarrior280]

WTF did he say. Double talk

[@capt2026]

“Former PLA officer” but current Chinese government mouthpiecece. This is not an independent voice. With that said, it is important to hear what his government, through him, has to say.

[@joMan1060]

Not all independence views are what you want to hear. Brushing off opinion that not suitable for you and labeling them "mouthpiece" is undemocratic and immature

[@Justin87878]

He is no longer working for gov. He is in academia now at Center for Strategic Studies at Tsinghua University.

[@jagdpanther2224]

He does not representing the offical!

[@zbynial]

Great peace of Chinese propaganda...

[@Krogtheclown]

Of course they don't want small countries to join nato or have a say in their own protection they don't even let their own people have any say at all and how their government operates

[@thomastan7511]

Sad

[@om-nj2hw]

Good will to the people of Russia and china, but down with their oppressive government.

[@iggy5347]

Like b l m in the US

[@user-hv9vn4fi4w]

What? Don't believe, it's OK in Russia, in US more terrible to live!

[@joecater894]

sorry ... you dont get to dictate what military alliance exists... doest work that way.... it is no different to a western nation deciding that china's size is unjustified.... and that it should split itself up into smaller sections of independent nations... nato nations all want to be militarily aligned and they alone will decide if it is justified... not china.... not Russia...

[@lvjinbin28]

then wait when Cuba to invite Chinese troops

[@joecater894]

@@lvjinbin28 they can... it wont make any difference... they would be sitting ducks in cuba if anything kicked off... you any idea the kind of firepower that would be brought to bear on them in that location.. if anything happened? remember the problem with russia in cuba wasnt that russian troops were there ; it was because russian nucs were there... now, if china were to put nucs there... then that would be a different discussion.... but chinese troops? not a threat at all really...

[@bhuddy]

Spider-Man's uncle teaching lessons even to China

[@dondonzelo8757]

Western interventions can cause enormous repercussions, and this is what we get

[@jademoon1530]

The question and discussion should not be about any one country having the responsibility of restraining another over the use of nuclear weapons. The discussion should be on how countries should not provoke any other country to the point that it would consider using nuclear weapons? No wars start all of a sudden. There are many circumstances, actions, history leading up to the eventual catalyst that breaks out into an actual war. The world and especially the collective west need to think deeply on the reasons leading up to this current situation. Whoever creates the foundations for a war, they must be responsible for shutting it down! Don't expect a third country to do that. Be responsible for one's own actions?

[@mondo6595]

this is very good every answer sounds like english version of a concise president of china, this colonel is former and present, really stayed the same with beijing, response like i am watching cctv news

[@rambleon2838]

Lol, you've got it.

[@patrikwihlke4170]

Beijing is just a stronger Moscow. They are the same thing. We have to deal with putler right now but make no mistake that is a small task compared to what awaits us.

[@exposingproxystalkingorgan4164]

Russia does have its own allies and supporters.

[@josephgraham4531]

Why are Western officials taking use of nukes seriously when Putin doesn't see the need of nukes in ukraine

[@jamesmain_email6969]

Because he keeps mentioning the use of them. For various reasons and contradicting itself on most of them.

[@josephgraham4531]

@@jamesmain_email6969 because Putin is not serious on using them he loves the contradiction and it plays well with the propaganda inside Russia

[@jamesmain_email6969]

@@josephgraham4531 I think right now little risk. But if Ukraine push into Crimea. That would mean they have recaptured the nuclear plant. More chance Russia creat a nuclear disaster from that plant which they would argue wasn’t them. That may halt any recapture of Crimea . That’s the real risk. At the moment . Or when and if Ukraine recapture the plant and push forward into Crimea.

[@josephgraham4531]

@@jamesmain_email6969 do you believe Ukraine right now with their current situation can capture Crimea and they have not liberated a mostly Russian speaking region inside Ukraine and mind you Russia has already built a military base in donbas and they are still at war Russia getting out of Ukraine is impossible we all know that Putin ain't messing around this time it's best for zelensky to ask for peace talks as soon as possible

[@jamesmain_email6969]

@@josephgraham4531 simply put , I have no idea. The military facts are Ukraine counter offensive has worked but as you said it’s still taking back land from the invasion this year. I think when the temperature drops and the mud freezes ukraine will attack on in the north and south. Mariupol being the target on the south. If they take that. Then Russias Crimea military bases will be within range of Ukraines short range missiles. A lot of ifs though. As the peace, I cannot see why Ukraine would want to agree peace at the moment. Their assets like army equipment etc is getting stronger while Russias is being depleted. They are on the front foot on the battlefield strategically. So right now they will not be interested in allowing Russia to keep invaded territories.

[@lancerfour]

seems like a guy that's about two years behind, besides talk of the russian war. and this comes down to an east/west perspective, i guess. there's also just the blatant nonsense in the latter part about words not even europeans know? and then "statistics" like roads are built faster and more [sic] "affordably" in China, but that has nothing to do with how much that would cost in Ukraine. I've got some immortality potions if anyone's interested.

[@user-hv9vn4fi4w]

when Ch & Ru "setup" the operation "a Wise Mandarin in frozen city" yet month ego 🤣👍👍👍

[@lancerfour]

@@user-hv9vn4fi4w what?

[@MrSpiritsurf]

Wise men talking.

[@thesilkpainter]

I find him not very useful in his remarks. 1: no mention of China's promise to protect Ukraine from nuclear threat. 2: NATO expansion: the European countries are actually NOT that strong militarily. So alliance just makes common sense. 3: and at the end China steps in to 'help' Ukraine rebuild, thus trying to get contracts...not actually helping much at all right now. Nicely played , China. Weaken Europe and the scoop up more business. Less obvious would be a bit more palatable. So: China is no better than other superpowers...now for the question: would it be worse as the greatest superpower?

[@herbschmidt2401]

There are significant chinese idiosyncratic differences to the democratic west that present challenges when working on global projects coupled with ever increasing national security concerns & distrust. Lines are drawn and de globalisation gathers pace.

[@Volition1001]

Well said

[@NeostormXLMAX]

no western country has ever been a democracy lmao, even the usa has always been a republic not a democracy with representatives deep in the pockets of the elite and deep state

[@foodscrazy9229]

When this guy said "can Beijing" sounds like "ham bacon"

[@jetli740]

he is fake more like actor

[@EZ-rs5zv]

A very fair and unbiased interview, and one which helped clarify where China stands on the Russia-Ukraine war. Thank you FT!

[@user-hv9vn4fi4w]

He wanted Europe believes China, and China knows who is real and trustable

[@jagdpanther2224]

This guy does not represent the official, just for fun only!

[@nolongerblocked6210]

He said nothing that wasn't extremely obvious & that has been said by Chinese officials for the last decade, literally

[@yeetian2774]

Everyone is restraining Russia over use of nuclear. This report is just wasting time. 😂

[@ayoebi7666]

Not wasting of time ! anyone who seeking peace would understand that nature of incoming war ! will not end easily.

[@Confucius_Says...]

Will somebody please give the Colonel his 50 cents? He REALLY earned it... 😂

[@loneranger9376]

nah 69

[@Confucius_Says...]

@@loneranger9376 😂😂😂

[@jayzhang7527]

People like to label others in a low way when their opinions are different from yours.

[@Confucius_Says...]

@@jayzhang7527 A penny for your thoughts... Or in your case 50 cents 😂

[@AndreSantos-rf2vj]

China is just jealous that the west is a group of friends that is growing, where the CCP can't have or keep any friends. It's all convenience friends, exploited partners, and future rivals...

[@carycary3822]

A great nation should show its wisdom by encouraging nations within its sphere of influence to NOT provide the weapons that are causing death and destruction in Ukraine. This would show greatness far more than offering assistance to rebuild a decimated nation. Blood is being shed.

[@tams805]

Ukraine need the weapons to defend themselves from the Russian monsters.

[@itsgodnga]

you mean the ruzzian weapons? the ones being used in their invasion? yea someone should put a stop to that.

[@JinKee]

This is just the Madman Theory. Kissinger would be proud.

[@KingOfHithlum]

Think about their relationship as when Russia invades Ukraine, China remains silent and when China will invade Taiwan then Russia can do the same. Nothing more nothing less.

[@jeromebarry1741]

Russia's 2014 invasion of Ukraine may well have turned out very differently if Ukraine had had the sort of national identity it has developed since 2014.

[@TheNefastor]

@@jeromebarry1741 hey, some people are pacifist... right until the day they get a punch in the face. Crimea was that punch in the face. Russia should have known Ukraine would have its guard up for the next punch. Which proves one thing : vodka does destroy brain cells.

[@pprocon]

Your analogy does not apply to other countries who remain neutral on Russian-Ukrainian war, i.e. India, majority of African countries, etc. Do they want to invade their neighbors as well?

[@pprocon]

This is a typical Western mentality: if you do not agree with us, then clearly there’s something wrong with you.

[@KingOfHithlum]

@@pprocon The discussion is about the Russia and China. And why the rest of the world should fit into the only one narrative?

[@tabithan2978]

🤣🤣🤣 He doesn’t think NATO should exist? A DEFENSE alliance.

[@kolendamp3360]

An important point of view, no judging, but listening to what China has to say

[@user-hv9vn4fi4w]

China wants good reputation in this moment. China "say" and "think" is not the same

[@jagdpanther2224]

This guy does not represent the official!

[@robertf.kuszewski4150]

This was a pre-arranged interview between a journalist and a former PLA officer of the CCP, did any of you really expect any truth to come out of this.

[@yangwu2058]

it is very chilling to hear what china to see the world and where they are going to take us to. We must do the upmost to defend the democracy and universal value of freedom. ironically china was the biggest beneficiary of such system and accumulated huge of wealth. as it threads their illegitimated regime, they want to dismantle it.

[@YT-mn4eq]

China is losing credibility so fast

[@jaimhaas5170]

Because they don't lie as well as Biden? Explain.

[@bigboss337]

@@jaimhaas5170 oh, china lies better than biden 😂.

[@jaimhaas5170]

@@bigboss337 Biden has been doing it for decades.

[@bigboss337]

@@jaimhaas5170 lol ccp has been lying before biden was even born, bruh😂

[@niss2car]

If you had talked about Taiwan this clown would have gone red with Anger

[@SW-fy8pq]

The real challenge is can Europe stop USA?

[@NeostormXLMAX]

they let nord stream happen so lol

[@Umbrao]

Blaming NATO is ridiculous. 1. Just review Putin's own speeches. He speaks of rebuilding a Russian empire. This isn't about reacting to a NATO threat; it's about conquest. 2. This is born out by Russia's invasion of Georgia. NATO wasn't used as a justification then. 3. Self determination? 4. Actual threat. US/NATO is obviously never going to invade Russia. The same can't be said about Russia, hence Finland looking to join NATO and NATO membership being so popular in countries unfortunate to border Putin -led Russia.

[@fernandoantunez]

How can we call a PLA officer (or former, as Putin was) and take his words seriously? Will we continue to be crazy forever and ever???

[@ralphgoh2580]

Becoz he talk sense, and we are informed enough and the intellect to know this.

[@Georgije2]

He is being interviewed in order to present the official Chinese opinion to us. It doesn't mean we have to agree with him. In a democratic society it is important to learn of opposing opinions (even undemocratic ones) and make up our own minds.

[@NeostormXLMAX]

@@Georgije2 nah amerimutts just call every one a "bot" and be done with it

[@hoodeez]

Wow the man who is in charge of negotiation stutters and is unsure about everything he says glad we're relying on them lmao

[@joselitokingking9304]

The guest is carefully not to say against his country to avoid negative impact from country states ruler.

[@Alivion3e]

They can say many things about whether Russia will use nukes or not Depends on what they drink or smoke......

[@pacervault3350]

I really enjoyed Zhou Bo's explanations and Chinese perspective. Seems like an honorable man.

[@carlabroderick5508]

There is only the CCP line here

[@jagdpanther2224]

He does not representing the offical!

[@nolongerblocked6210]

Full blown ccp shill

[@michaelhenault1444]

Ukraine is joining Europe 🌍🌍

[@sezwo5774]

I think we may be far away from any end-game, ...the interviewer keeps repeating the phrase.

[@rahulmsr]

China is also holding sky otherwise it would fall and smash us all.

[@Confucius_Says...]

😂😂😂👍

[@akonmanyaidze1768]

yes

[@om-nj2hw]

You heard him say it, country that has no freedom of thought and speech, wants the word to become that way.

[@rambleon2838]

Did you hear him say, put yourself in Chinese, Indian and Russian shoes?

[@hulamei3117]

China is doing nothing.

[@Confucius_Says...]

Lot's of hot air... NATO Expansionism but NOT Russian Imperialism....

[@barrywong4327]

kudos to FT for bringing a perspective from China instead of the typical one-sided perspective from the west. It seems to me the views expressed are pragmatic, rational, level-hesded and high-minded. It’s refreshing! China is not a US vassal state, it does not and ought not accept the US views and position as its own. If every country thinks the same then nobody is really thinking. I happen to agree with John Mearsheimer that Ukraine is suffering horribly because it’s being caught as a pawn, willingly and unwillingly, in the proxy war between the US and Russia.

[@linda1lee2]

Mearsheimer is horribly wrong. Ukraine isn't a pawn; Russia invaded other territories and nations, invaded Ukraine and fometed rebellions there in 2014, then did a full-blown invation in 2014. Russia signed the Minsk and other agreements guaranteeing Ukraine's sovereignity. NATO is a defensive alliance; Russia was always the threat.

[@jagdpanther2224]

This guy is reading a script written by FT !

[@cucomber1]

This is not true. China is sharing what it can with Russia and reserving plenty of ammunition in case of attacking Taiwan.

[@Dungshoveleux]

And you trust him?

[@ILUVBAKKUA]

China may be efficient in construction but my guess is during rebuilding of Postwar Ukraine it is expected that they will favor giving contracts and businesses to companies from countries that had immensely aided them during the war and so in the order the Americans followed by British Polish then various european/asian nations and in some ways that's what these countries will expect of Ukraine too when the war is over.

[@Unazaki]

While I see where you're coming from, I think the scale of the rebuilding efforts and funds required will probably mean that Ukraine will just open itself up to anyone who wants to help simply because it has to.

[@ILUVBAKKUA]

@@Unazaki They say the cost will exceed $500 billion. Assuming russians stop fighting but walks away and doesn't pay for the reconstruction of ukraine because how does a non-nuclear state force a nuclear power to pay up? So when war is over ukraine needs money they have to exploit their natural resources by handing out contracts to big foreign corporations with deep pockets who will bring equipment to ukraine, invest hire train the locals and in return ukraine gov get taxes also royalties for these resources. Am sure by then they could also borrow from world bank to rebuild their infrastructure.

[@wf645]

As it is, Ukriane is already carved up by the West ... with US taking a big chunk, follow by European countries. Regardless Ukraine will never be Ukraine

[@ILUVBAKKUA]

@@wf645 I agree

[@myla6135]

Yes, that's possible but it's likely that the Chinese will be able to provide what is needed more cheaply and perhaps more quickly. Both important things which will need to be factored in.

[@memdaletpey]

“The war in Ukraine is mostly due to the NATO expansion” - he is either unfamiliar with facts or is just lying. In either case, this statement portrays this gentleman in very negative colors, as being either unprofessional or manipulative. Hence the value of this interview is zero

[@titanblooded6222]

Macron said the same thing

[@NeostormXLMAX]

cope and seethe amerimutt subhuman. even people on the west are seeing what nato really is