China has offered to play a “constructive role” in mediating the conflict in Ukraine but continues to refuse to condemn the Russian invasion is it tries to maintain its delicate balancing act. During a carefully choreographed press conference on the sidelines of the National People’s Congress on Monday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Russia was China’s “most important strategic partner” and criticised the United States for trying to suppress and encircle China. Wang also described Beijing as a benign “responsible” power in response to growing pressure from Washington and its allies to rein in Russia. He repeated Beijing’s opposition to any moves that could add “fuel to the flames” – a veiled swipe at Western sanctions on Moscow – and said the priority should instead be to promote direct talks between Ukraine and Russia while preventing a massive humanitarian crisis. (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/china-says-keen-play-constructive-093000760.html) “China is prepared to continue playing a constructive role to facilitate dialogue for peace and work alongside the international communications when needed to carry out necessary mediation,” he said, falling short of clarifying if China would act as an intermediary in the conflict.