Will Ukraine invasion embolden China in the Indo-Pacific?

Eyes are on China after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine to see if Beijing would make an opportunistic move in the Indo-Pacific, with analysts saying Beijing is watching developments in Ukraine “intently” before making any decision. Chinese officials, while refusing to call Putin’s action an “invasion,” say they’re “closely monitoring the latest developments.”

“We call on all sides to exercise restraint and prevent the situation from getting out of control,” said China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Hua Chunying. China has maintained this position since the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis.

Vietnam, which has territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea, has said little about the conflict. Its Foreign Ministry spokeswoman when asked said exactly the same words: “We call on all sides to exercise restraint.”

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