China calls on foreign embassies in Beijing to remove signs of support for Ukraine
Ukrainska Pravda
Tue, May 16, 2023 at 9:27 AM EDT
Chinese authorities have asked foreign embassies and international organisations based in Beijing not to use the outer walls of their buildings for "political propaganda," apparently referring to signs showing support for Ukraine.
Source: Japanese Kyodo news agency citing "numerous diplomatic sources in the capital"
Details: Many embassies in Beijing have placed [on their buildings – ed.] posters featuring the Ukrainian flag and messages in Chinese and English, such as #StandWithUkraine, to show their solidarity with Ukraine as it fights the Russian invasion
n a message from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 10 May, embassies and international organisations were urged not to use the outer walls of their buildings for propaganda and "avoid conflicts between states".
The move sparked a backlash from diplomats in Europe and elsewhere. None of them removed the signs. Kyodo notes that among the embassies in Beijing that show support for Ukraine are the embassies of Canada, Germany and Poland.
The report also states that embassies and international organisations are "obliged to comply with Chinese laws and regulations," although Beijing respects diplomatic immunity in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations