Think of this. When people talk about their friendship, of course they wish this friendship would last. And should we say, in spite of friendship, this friendship is limited? We cannot say our friendship should be limited.
So, this is a kind of a goodwill gesture. But in the statement where this word is mentioned, we're also talked about, this is not a military alliance.
FT：Would you say there are now pergences in view between China and Russia over the war in Ukraine? Do you feel that there is tension in China with regard to what Russia is doing in Ukraine?
Zhou Bo：Well, certainly not happy to see this war, because it has strongly affected Chinese interests.
When I talk about Chinese interests, well, because China now is the largest trading nation, largest industrial nation in the world.
Therefore Chinese interests are almost ubiquitous everywhere. And in Europe it actually has affected China's belt-and-road initiative.
It actually has worsened China's relationship with many European capitals who believe China should actually take sides.You know, not to take Russia’s side on this issue.
So it is damaging to China in many ways.But China has to be very careful on this issue, because as this is a bit like being sandwiched between two friends.
So is my friend's enemy also my enemy? Not necessarily. And I think the Chinese position has paid off because both sides would understand this position.
Having said that, this does not mean that China would just stand idly by and watch this going on.
No, China is not. And China cannot afford to behave like that. Because China is a great power, and a great power shoulders great responsibility... and what is China's great responsibility in this war? That is not to throw wood into the fire.
While this is certainly is an important issue about sovereignty, this is clearly an invasion of one country into another country.But at the same time people tend to forget why this has happened at all. Because ever since the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, on to President Putin. They have all warned against this kind of NATO’s expansion, and they have all fell on deaf ears. Putin is different in that he put this kind of wording into military operation, and that is a difference.