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jakeXT

(10,575 posts) Fri Mar 7, 2014, 02:20 PM Mar 2014

China says sanctions won't help Ukraine crisis

Source: Reuters

...

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said it was important to find a political solution.

"China has consistently opposed the easy use of sanctions in international relations, or using sanctions as a threat," he told a daily news briefing.

"In the present situation, we hope that all sides can take steps which avoid a further worsening in tensions and work hard to find a way for a political solution to the crisis. This is the fundamental way out."

Asked if China also believed the referendum in Crimea would be a breach of international law, Qin did not answer directly.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/07/us-ukraine-crisis-china-idUSBREA260CF20140307

7 replies

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Highlight:

China says sanctions won't help Ukraine crisis (Original Post) jakeXT Mar 2014 OP

China opposes consequences for environmental and human rights violations geek tragedy Mar 2014 #1

The economic giant/political pygmy has spoken BeyondGeography Mar 2014 #2

Have sanctions ever helped? abelenkpe Mar 2014 #3

You could argue that they worked in South Africa. But you are right about who pampango Mar 2014 #5

That is their purpose. To create such "pain" as to compel what is wanted. bemildred Mar 2014 #6

Understandable from China as Russia's main trading partner. dipsydoodle Mar 2014 #4

China would love to have the US focus moved away from amandabeech Mar 2014 #7

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)

1. China opposes consequences for environmental and human rights violations

Reply to jakeXT (Original post)

Fri Mar 7, 2014, 02:23 PM

Mar 2014

what a shock

BeyondGeography

(39,374 posts)

2. The economic giant/political pygmy has spoken

Reply to jakeXT (Original post)

Fri Mar 7, 2014, 02:24 PM

Mar 2014

abelenkpe

(9,933 posts)

3. Have sanctions ever helped?

Reply to jakeXT (Original post)

Fri Mar 7, 2014, 02:28 PM

Mar 2014

Don't they just harm the most vulnerable?

pampango

(24,692 posts)

5. You could argue that they worked in South Africa. But you are right about who

Reply to abelenkpe (Reply #3)

Fri Mar 7, 2014, 03:14 PM

Mar 2014

really suffers. They talk about "targeted" sanctioned aimed at the elites but, by definition elites have a lot of assets and can withstand "sanctions" for a long time.

Of course, the frustrating thing is the question of how to respond to military aggression without responding in kind (which almost no one wants) or rewarding its use in the first place. Sometimes I'm glad it is not up to me. "You have to do 'something' to respond to this. But don't do this, you can't do that and the other option will hurt the wrong people. But you have to do "something".

bemildred

(90,061 posts)

6. That is their purpose. To create such "pain" as to compel what is wanted.

Reply to abelenkpe (Reply #3)

Fri Mar 7, 2014, 03:21 PM

Mar 2014

You see if formulated like that at times, to force a public revolt, to create and enhance street protests. It's very effective, up to a point, but it can easily get out of control too.

And the argument is that it's better than war, but it is often just a prelude to war.

dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts)

4. Understandable from China as Russia's main trading partner.

Reply to jakeXT (Original post)

Fri Mar 7, 2014, 02:40 PM

Mar 2014

As Russia's 2nd largest partner Germany is wary too.

An opinion poll has shown that the overwhelming majority of Germans is against the imposition of economic sanctions on Russia over its Ukraine policy. But that doesn't mean they don't want any help for Kyiv.

A survey by Infratest dimap pollsters for German public broadcaster ARD and the newspaper "Die Welt" revealed Friday the majority of Germans was wary of economic sanctions against Russia even though the situation had escalated over Crimea.

The poll said only 38 percent of respondents viewed economic sanctions as a suitable instrument to change Russia's stance.

The survey indicated widespread public support for Chancellor Angela Merkel's policy of trying to stay away from anything but symbolic sanctions and backing the concept of a contact group that would reopen direct communications between Moscow and Kyiv.

http://www.dw.de/majority-of-germans-against-anti-russia-economic-sanctions/a-17480983

amandabeech

(9,893 posts)

7. China would love to have the US focus moved away from

Reply to jakeXT (Original post)

Fri Mar 7, 2014, 03:27 PM

Mar 2014

the East China Sea and the South China Sea.

Also, and probably more importantly, China purchases considerable amounts of gas and oil from Russia.

They're doing exactly what suits their interests.

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