China’s envoy on Ukraine Li Hui is on a mission to promote China’s 12-point peace plan in Europe – Photo: Sputnik / Alexey Kudenko

China’s Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui will meet Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Wojciech Gerwel today to discuss Ukraine.

The bilateral meeting is expected to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war and China’s 12-point peace plan for the conflict. China has made efforts to position itself as a peace broker in the conflict because of its relationship with both Russia and Ukraine. Most recently, President Xi held an hour-long phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky and paid Russian President Putin a state visit in late March.

China is not unchallenged in its bid for peace broker in the war. Turkey negotiated a crucial grain export deal last July propping up their position to mediate the conflict. However, China now feels spurred by its success in brokering a reproachment between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which led them to restore diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies after a seven-year standoff.

Li’s message is expected to be scrutinized given Beijing’s current reluctance to condemn or criticize Russia’s armed aggression. Over the past 15 months, Warsaw has wholeheartedly supported the recovery of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including Crimea. Thus, Beijing’s perceived lack of neutrality will likely prevent Warsaw from supporting its mediating role.