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 China |  Kosovo |
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China andKosovo do not have formaldiplomatic relations as Chinadoes not recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state. However, China has a liaison office in Kosovo, and trade ties are increasing.[1]
China's liaison office inPristina has five staff members. Kosovo does not maintain representation in China.[2]
TheChinese government has had a geopolitical interest in Kosovo since the 1999NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. The Chinese government saw the bombing as an example of US aggression in service of American goals, and worried that it could create a precedent for US military intervention in China.[3]
Prior to Kosovo's declaration of independence in 2008, thenMinister of Foreign Affairs of ChinaLi Zhaoxing, during his visit toSerbia and Montenegro in 2005, reiterated China's support to territorial integrity of Serbia and that the final resolution to Kosovo would have to take place under the auspices of the United Nations and parameters established by theUnited Nations Security Council resolutions.[4]
AfterKosovo'sdeclaration of independence fromSerbia was enacted on Sunday, 17 February 2008, by a unanimous vote of theAssembly of Kosovo, all 11 representatives of theSerb minority boycotted the proceedings.[5][6] International reaction was mixed, and the world community continues to be divided on the issue of theinternational recognition of Kosovo. In February 2008, theChinese Foreign Ministry made a statement stressing that the PRC "expresses grave concern" over Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence. The Minister added that: "The resolution of the Kosovo issue bares [sic] on peace and stability of the Balkan region, the fundamental norms governing international relations as well as the authority and role of the UNSC. China always believes that a plan acceptable to both Serbia and Kosovo through negotiations is the best way to resolve this issue. The unilateral move taken by Kosovo will lead to a series of consequences. China is deeply worried about its severe and negative impact on peace and stability of the Balkan region and the goal of establishing a multi-ethnic society in Kosovo. China calls upon Serbia and Kosovo to continue negotiations for a proper resolution within the framework of the international law and work together to safeguard peace and stability of the Balkan region. The international community should create favorable conditions for that".[7]
According to analysis from theGerman Law Journal, China's position on Kosovo's status is influenced both by China's principled commitment to non-interference as well as by China's interests with respect to separatist movements inTibet,Xinjiang, andTaiwan.[8] Thegovernment of Taiwan recognized Kosovo as independent on 20 February 2008.[9]
On 23 August 2009, the presidents of Serbia and China,Boris Tadić andHu Jintao, signed a joint declaration on the establishment of strategic partnerships. In point VI this document reconfirms that China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia. It considers that the best way to resolve the Kosovo issue is to develop a plan that would be acceptable for both sides, through dialogue and negotiations between the Government of Serbia and Kosovo authorities, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and relevant resolutions of the UNSC, within international law. The declaration says that unilateral action will not contribute to resolving this issue, and that the international community should create favourable conditions for solving it.[10]
In December 2009, for the first time in its history, China entered a process before theInternational Court of Justice (ICJ).[8] China backed the position of Serbia saying that sovereign states have a right to prevent unilateral secessions and protect their integrity.[11]
Kosovo participated in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The government of Kosovo announced in 2021 that it would participate in the US-led diplomatic boycott of Olympics, meaning that Kosovo's team would participate but thepresident of Kosovo would not participate as head of the delegation.[12][13]
On 30 May 2023, following the escalation of the2022–2023 North Kosovo crisis, Foreign Ministry spokespersonMao Ning stated that China supports "Serbia’s effort to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity, oppose unilateral actions by the temporary institutions inPristina and call on it to perform its duty of establishing an association/community of Serb majority municipalities."[14]
Although China and Kosovo do not have formal relations, their trade ties have been increasing.[15] In an interview with Indian news outletThe Print, formerPrime Minister of KosovoRamush Haradinaj stated that despite the lack of formal ties, the Chinese are open to all economic exchanges.[16] Typically, Chinese companies operating in Kosovo do so from a base inAlbania or, less commonly, inSerbia.[17] Chineseforeign direct investment in Kosovo is at a low level, though Chinese entities were involved in submitting an unsuccessful bid to constructKosova e Re.[17] The Chinese telecommunications companyHuawei also made an unsuccessful offer to build Kosovo's5G network.[17]
Tourism and business travel between Kosovo and China have been increasing.[17]
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