China walks diplomatic tightrope after shunning sanctions on Russia, while calling for end to crisis in Ukraine

As the tragic events in Ukraine escalate and countries around the world ratchet up sanctions on Russia, China faces a difficult balancing act. 

While its neutral stance towards the conflict has been viewed with opprobrium in some quarters, Chinese leaders are not insensible to the human suffering in Ukraine. Nevertheless, they are obliged by certain realities to tread carefully.

Russian military action in Ukraine offends China’s longstanding principle of non-interference in the affairs and territorial integrity of other nations.