China Asks International Missions Displaying Ukraine Flags to Take away ‘Propaganda’

BEIJING (Reuters) – China has notified a number of international missions in Beijing to not show “politicised propaganda” on their buildings, diplomats informed Reuters, including the request appeared aimed toward Ukrainian flags they’ve displayed since Russia’s invasion.

A number of international missions in China raised the Ukrainian flag, or displayed its picture in posters and lights, following the February 2022 invasion that sparked worldwide condemnation of Russia, an in depth ally of China.

“We and others bought a letter calling on embassies and consultant workplaces to chorus from utilizing the outer partitions of their buildings for ‘politicised propaganda’,” one diplomat, whose embassy is displaying a Ukraine flag picture, informed Reuters on situation of anonymity.

The diplomat stated the mission didn’t intend to adjust to the notification.

Three different Beijing-based diplomats confirmed that there had been a notification, including that whereas it didn’t instantly point out the Ukraine flag it was clearly aimed toward that.

Reuters has not seen the discover. China’s international ministry didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

Weeks after Russia launched what it calls its “particular navy operation” in Ukraine, a poster of a Ukrainian flag on the outside wall of the Canadian Embassy in Beijing was defaced with anti-NATO graffiti, in response to a Reuters witness.

The missions of the European Union, Britain, Germany and Poland in Beijing have additionally displayed pictures of Ukrainian flags.

They didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.

China has known as for a peace in Ukraine however has shunned condemning its ally Russia, resulting in criticism from Western nations.

Some embassies in Beijing are additionally displaying rainbow flags in help of the LGBT neighborhood, to mark the Worldwide Day In opposition to Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on Wednesday, and LGBT Satisfaction Month in June.

It was not instantly clear if China, which has confronted criticism from rights teams for stifling LGBT activism in recent times, objected to such shows.

(Reporting by Laurie Chen and Yew Lun Tian; Modifying by John Geddie, Robert Birsel)

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