Thoughts on Ukraine Part 12: Chinese Interests in the Ukraine Crisis
The Chinese are sitting in the catbird seat during the Ukraine crisis. With patience and shrewd diplomacy, they can exploit virtually any outcome. They want to maintain their trade with the EU and keep their economic engine running. I suspect they want to see a protracted crisis that bleeds the west and Russia and strengthens their global position economically and militarily, while keeping the trade flowing. The crisis is in their interests, especially if sanctions blowback on the west and weaken them and open the door for a new reserve currency.