China has called on all sides to 'exercise restraint' as it refuses to call Russia's actions in Ukraine an 'invasion'
ABCChina has rejected calling Russia's moves on Ukraine an "invasion" and urged all sides to exercise restraint, even as it advised its citizens there to stay home or at least take the precaution of displaying a Chinese flag if they needed to drive anywhere. Key points: China's foreign ministry says they are "closely monitoring the latest situation" and have called on "all sides to exercise restraint" Beijing says it will "carry on normal trade" with both Russia and Ukraine China has been expected to back Russia diplomatically and perhaps economically, but not militarily Russian forces on Thursday fired missiles at cities in Ukraine and landed troops on its coast, officials and media said, after President Vladimir Putin authorised what he called a "special military operation" in the east. Underscoring Beijing's recognition of Ukraine as a "sovereign state", Ms Hua said the country will "carry on normal trade" with both Russia and Ukraine. Biden takes veiled swipe at China After Ms Hua's comments, US President Joe Biden said any country that backed Russia would be "stained by association". China hasn't endorsed Mr Putin's recognition of independence of eastern Ukraine's separatist areas or his decision to send in soldiers, but Ms Hua said Beijing "called on parties to respect others' legitimate security concerns."