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Vanessa Cai

China’s new ambassador to Kyiv has voiced “full confidence” in deeper bilateral ties, as the Ukraine war escalates and US support to the former Soviet state becomes uncertain under Donald Trump.
Ma Shengkun, former deputy director general of the Chinese foreign ministry’s arms control department, assumed his post on Wednesday, according to the embassy.
He replaces Fan Xianrong, who held the role since February 2020.
China and Ukraine established diplomatic ties in 1992, a year after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
In a written statement delivered upon his arrival, Ma hailed the past three decades as a time when “political mutual trust [had] been continuously strengthened, pragmatic cooperation yielded fruitful results, and cultural exchanges [were] active and vibrant”.
“China and Ukraine are traditional friendly partners … and I am full of confidence in the prospects for the deepened development of bilateral relations,” the embassy quoted him as saying.

Ma takes up his role as Trump’s imminent return to the White House raises anxieties about US commitments to its Western allies, including Ukraine.
Trump, who claims to share a close rapport with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly claimed that Russia would not have invaded Ukraine in 2022 if he had still been in the White House.
In his campaign speeches, the US president-elect also said that he would settle the war in a single day – though he did not say how. He has also threatened to withdraw US support for Ukraine.
China has consistently positioned itself as a peacemaker and presented itself as neutral in the conflict, which began with the Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine in February 2022.
Ukraine, and several other European nations, have been urging China to use its influence with Russia to help end the hostilities.


But Beijing has also faced criticism from the West over its close ties with “priority partner” Moscow and reluctance to publicly condemn the invasion.
In a major escalation, Ukraine on Tuesday reportedly fired US-made, long-range missiles across the border for the first time. On Thursday, Ukraine’s air force said Russia had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile overnight, targeting the city of Dnipro.
Ma acknowledged the challenges ahead with a saying in Chinese – “the journey may be long, but with action, the destination will be reached; the task may be difficult, but with effort, it will surely be accomplished”.
“I am deeply aware that I carry the expectations of the governments and peoples of both countries,” Ma wrote. “I am entrusted with the important responsibility of advancing China-Ukraine relations.”




Ma graduated from China Foreign Affairs University, which is affiliated with the foreign ministry.
He held various posts at the ministry before taking over the arms control role, including at the international organisations department and at China’s permanent missions to the United Nations in Geneva and Vienna.
The department of arms control is responsible for policy development on issues including disarmament, non-proliferation, export control and global and regional security. It also organises negotiations on relevant international treaties and agreements.
In his note, Ma added that he would “persevere in being a guardian of the friendship, a facilitator of exchanges, and a promoter of cooperation” between China and Ukraine.
“I look forward to extensive engagement, open communication, building mutual trust and resolving doubts, and exploring cooperation with the Ukrainian government and people from all walks of life.”


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Ukraine war

China’s new Ukraine envoy Ma Shengkun ‘full of confidence’ about deeper ties

Newly appointed Chinese ambassador Ma Shengkun has pledged to “persevere in being a guardian of the friendship” between China and Ukraine. Photo: qq.com

Ma Shengkun (third right) with Chinese and Ukrainian officials upon assuming his post on Wednesday. Photo: qq.com

EU warns China of ‘consequences’ if it’s found to be making armed drones for Russia

Beijing says there are “strict controls” on the export of Chinese military drones. Photo: Kyodo

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen says Beijing can’t expect “business as usual” if it’s providing military aid to Moscow. Photo: dpa

Russian security chief Sergei Shoigu tells Wang Yi that US ‘containment’ must be countered

Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Tuesday, the first high-level meeting of Chinese and Russian officials since Donald Trump’s re-election as US president. Photo: Xinhua 

Shoigu and Wang leading their delegations during the China-Russia strategic security consultation in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese President Xi Jinping with Russian President Vladimir Putin toast to Brics at a summit in Kazan, Russia on October 23. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine says Russia launched ICBM in attack for first time in war

Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of the rocket strike in Dnipro. Photo: EPA-EFE

Ukraine fires UK Storm Shadow missiles into Russia for first time: reports

US-supplied ATACMS missiles being fired from an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Photo: Lachen Pyshe Telegram via AP

A Storm Shadow cruise missile displayed at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK in July. Photo: AFP

The US embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Russian mortar units at an undisclosed location fire towards Ukrainian positions. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry via EPA-EFE

A Russian T-80BVM tank fires towards Ukrainian positions at an undisclosed location in Russia. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry via EPA-EFE

Kremlin says Russia-US hotline to deflate crisis not in use, as nuclear risks rise

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting earlier this month. Photo: Sputnik via AP

US-supplied ATACMS missiles being fired from an undisclosed location in Ukraine.  Photo: Lachen Pyshe Telegram via AP

A nuclear-capable strategic bomber of the Russian air force. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky meeting with Donald Trump at Trump Tower in New York in September. File photo: AP

News

China

Diplomacy

Ambassador’s arrival in Kyiv coincides with major escalation in Ukraine war and with US support uncertain under incoming president Trump


Ambassador’s arrival in Kyiv coincides with major escalation in Ukraine war and with US support uncertain under incoming president Trump.


China-Ukraine relations

China-Russia relations