The request most likely referred to the pro-Ukrainian posters hanging on the exterior walls of the embassies of Canada, Poland and Germany.

In response to the case, the Chinese government sent notices to several embassies and international organizations, asking them to remove the inappropriate signs from their premises.

Kyodo News reported on Tuesday (5/16), the memorandum called on foreign missions not to use the exterior walls of their buildings for “political propaganda” and to “avoid conflicts between countries”.

The order was reportedly sent by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on May 10, 2023.

The notice also informs recipients that they must comply with applicable laws and regulations in China. However, there is no indication that China will waive the principle of diplomatic immunity, established under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Several Western embassies located in China have posted posters stating that they “stand with Ukraine” in Chinese and English. The Canadian look in particular caught the attention of press photographers.

Beijing’s request reportedly sparked a backlash in Western embassies.

A European diplomat said there was “no reasonable justification” for the request and that their embassy would not comply.

China has resisted pressure from the United States and its allies to side with the West against Russia, pushing for a peaceful end to the escalation of hostilities by February 2022.

At a daily press conference on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the United States should reflect on its responsibility on the Ukraine issue and stop forcing other countries to take sides. and smear others.

“We believe most countries would like to see a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine crisis rather than more arms sales and acts of fueling the fires, as the United States has done,” Wang said.