The Chinese government has urged NATO to pause actions that could spark new crises across the globe and deepen bloc-based tensions. Speaking to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative, warned that old Cold War mindsets should be laid to rest and that provocative steps risk destabilizing the international order. His message aligns with Beijing’s long-standing call for restraint, diplomacy, and a careful handling of power dynamics in ways that prevent miscalculation and escalation.
In a Security Council meeting focused on the Ukraine situation, held in New York, Zhang Jun emphasized the imperative that a nation’s security must not come at the expense of others. He argued that simply expanding or strengthening military coalitions does not deliver real regional security. Instead, the governing principle should be mutual restraint, open channels for dialogue, and a shared responsibility to avoid actions that could tilt the balance toward confrontation rather than cooperation.
Earlier discussions included remarks by the Chinese ambassador to the United Nations, who suggested that arming Ukraine was not the crux of the crisis. Rather, Washington and its allies should reconsider whether unilateral sanctions and sustained pressure are productive. The suggestion was that Kyiv and its Western partners should pivot toward negotiations with Moscow, seeking a political settlement that could address the core security concerns of all parties involved rather than pursuing unilateral paths to victory.
China has consistently underscored the strategic value of bilateral ties with Russia as a stabilizing influence within the broader international landscape. Beijing has repeatedly called for dialogue and restraint, urging all sides to prioritize diplomatic channels and to seek settlements through negotiation rather than coercive measures. The goal is a framework that acknowledges each side’s security interests while avoiding actions that could amplify risks for noncombatant populations and regional stability.
Observers interpret China’s approach as a push toward a multipolar security order, one that reduces overreliance on any single bloc and promotes constructive engagement among major powers. In both negotiations and public commentary, Beijing stresses the need for predictable, lawful behavior in international affairs and a rules-based order that respects sovereignty while encouraging dialogue and compromise. The emphasis is on building durable mechanisms for communication, crisis management, and conflict avoidance that can withstand shifting geopolitics and reduce the potential for misinterpretation or miscalculation. Attribution: TASS and China’s diplomatic missions at the United Nations, with context from international reporting outlets.