Beijing rejects 'groundless' claims of Russian troop training

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning on Monday firmly rejected reports alleging that Russian troops had trained in China during the war in Ukraine, dismissing the claims as fabrications intended to damage China's reputation. The rebuttal came after German authorities summoned China's ambassador to Berlin for an urgent meeting last week.

Officials in Berlin had raised what they described as "deeply disturbing" reports regarding potential military cooperation between Beijing and Moscow, according to diplomatic sources. Mao confirmed that the ambassador met with German Foreign Ministry officials at their request to exchange views on bilateral relations and matters of mutual concern.

Diplomatic exchange

She said China had already clarified its position to German diplomats, stating that "the so-called reports are groundless and purely fabricated to smear China" and rejecting any suggestion of military coordination with Moscow.

China's stance on Ukraine

On the Ukraine crisis, Mao said China "has consistently maintained an objective and impartial position," adding that Beijing remains committed to promoting a political settlement and encouraging peace talks in its own way. "Germany should view China's position in an objective and rational manner," she said, according to the Beijing-based state-run Global Times.

The newspaper reported that the diplomatic exchange focused on allegations that Russian soldiers had received training in China, which Berlin views as a potential violation of neutrality norms.