Beijing is sending a top diplomat to Europe to lead discussions between Russia and Ukraine.
From 2009 to 2019, Li Hui served as China's ambassador to Moscow. He is also one of the few international recipients of Russian President Vladimir Putin's Medal of Friendship.
He is now serving as Beijing's "special representative" to the Ukraine war.
Despite Western concerns and skepticism, Beijing is working to position itself as a neutral power broker. Finally, China hopes to reach an agreement to end the year-long conflict.
Here's what each side wants in order to do this.
Ukraine demands complete restoration of its land, including the Russian-annexed Crimea, as well as financial recompense for war losses and the prosecution of war criminals.
On the other hand, Russian officials have outlined demands such as Ukraine being entirely demilitarized and barred from joining NATO, in addition to maintaining territory Moscow has already acquired.
Li is scheduled to visit numerous European countries. The purpose is to allay concerns about Beijing's diplomatic integrity and its self-proclaimed "no limits" alliance with Russia. To now, China has refrained from calling the Ukraine crisis a "invasion."
