Relationship dossier
People's Republic of China
Ukraine
Relationship assessment
China-Ukraine partnership combines economic engagement with strain over China’s approach to Russia’s war
People's Republic of China toward Ukraine
+5China and Ukraine established a strategic partnership in 2011 and have pursued economic cooperation. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, China has not condemned Russia and has abstained on some United Nations votes concerning the war, limiting confidence in its support for Ukraine’s position.
Ukraine toward People's Republic of China
+20Ukraine has maintained strategic and economic engagement with China and sought Chinese involvement in diplomatic efforts concerning Russia’s war. Zelenskyy spoke with Xi Jinping in April 2023, including on prospects for peace and the return of Ukraine’s ambassador to China.
Overall relationship
+10The enduring relationship includes a strategic partnership and economic engagement, but it is constrained by China’s close ties with Russia and its failure to condemn Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukraine has continued to seek Chinese diplomatic engagement, leaving the relationship mixed rather than a close partnership.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
China and Ukraine established a strategic partnership in 2011 and have engaged in economic cooperation. China has not condemned Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, while Ukraine has sought Chinese diplomatic engagement, including direct talks between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Xi Jinping in 2023. The relationship combines ongoing engagement with significant strain over China’s approach to the war.
Areas of tension
- China’s refusal to condemn Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
- Differences over China’s diplomatic posture and the terms of a resolution to the war.
Key developments
China and Ukraine established a strategic partnership.
President Xi Jinping and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke by phone; Ukraine announced the return of its ambassador to China.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of bilateral economic and strategic cooperation are unclear.
- The extent of any future Chinese diplomatic role in addressing Russia’s war against Ukraine remains uncertain.