Why China is trying to mediate in Russia's war with Ukraine
ABCEarlier this week, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said Beijing planned to send an envoy to Ukraine to discuss a possible "political settlement" to Russia's war with the country. Mr Xi told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a phone call that a Chinese envoy, a former Chinese ambassador to Russia, would visit Ukraine and "other countries" to discuss a possible political settlement, according to a government statement. Mr Xi's government has pursued a bigger role in global diplomacy as part of a campaign to restore China to what the ruling Communist Party sees as its rightful status as a political and economic leader and to build an international order that favours Beijing's interests. Mediating between Ukraine and Russia would increase China's presence in Eastern Europe, where Beijing has tried to build ties with other governments.