According to diplomats, China’s directive is aimed at embassies that have flown Ukrainian flags since Russia’s invasion of the country. Foreign embassies and international organizations have been advised by China not to display “politicised propaganda” on their premises.
Following international condemnation of Russia, China’s close ally, for its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, several foreign missions in China raised the Ukrainian flag or displayed its image in posters and lights.
In an effort to prevent the escalation of tensions between nations, China’s foreign ministry issued a notice on May 10 ordering citizens to refrain from displaying political propaganda on the exterior walls of buildings.
The notice was copied to ‘All Embassies and International Organizations’ China Representative Offices.
While the ministry did not specifically mention Ukrainian flags or “propaganda” displays, four diplomats in Beijing who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the notice was clearly related to displays showing support for Ukraine.
When asked about the notice during a press conference, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that embassies and offices of international organizations in China had a responsibility to follow Chinese law. He didn’t go into any further detail.
A poster of a Ukrainian flag displayed on the exterior wall of the Canadian Embassy was vandalized with anti-NATO graffiti, according to a witness, just weeks after Russia launched its “special military operation” in Ukraine.
China chastised for not condemning Russia
Ukrainian flags have been flown at the European Union, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland embassies in Beijing.
Western countries have chastised China for calling for peace in Ukraine while failing to condemn Russia.
Some embassies in Beijing have displayed rainbow flags in support of the LGBT community in honor of LGBT Pride Month in June and the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia on Wednesday.
At first glance, it was unclear whether China, which has been chastised by rights groups for stifling LGBT activism in recent years, would object to such displays.
