China has expressed its intention to deepen relations with Moldova despite continuing differences between the two countries over Russia’s war in Ukraine, as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popsoi during a high-level meeting in Beijing.
According to a statement released by China’s foreign ministry on Friday, Wang told the visiting Moldovan official that Beijing “cherishes” its traditional friendship with Moldova and is prepared to strengthen political trust and bilateral cooperation.
The meeting took place on Thursday and marked the first visit by a Moldovan foreign minister to China in nearly eight years, reflecting renewed diplomatic engagement between the two countries at a time of shifting geopolitical alignments.
The talks came immediately after Russian President Vladimir Putin completed a high-profile state visit to China, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping and agreed to deepen strategic coordination between Moscow and Beijing.
Although China’s official summary of the Wang-Popsoi meeting only briefly referenced the Ukraine issue, the statement noted that both sides exchanged views on the ongoing conflict.
“The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in the final line of its meeting readout.
China has consistently avoided condemning Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and has refrained from formally describing the conflict as an invasion. Instead, Beijing has repeatedly called for a “political settlement” to the war, a position Wang reiterated during his discussions with Popsoi.
Moldova, however, has taken a markedly different stance.
The Eastern European country, which shares a border with Ukraine, has strongly criticized Russia’s military campaign and remains deeply concerned about regional security risks posed by the conflict.
Tensions between Moldova and Moscow have existed for decades, particularly over the separatist region of Transdniestria, a pro-Russian enclave that broke away during the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Around 1,500 Russian troops remain stationed in the region, which Moscow describes as a peacekeeping contingent. Moldovan authorities, however, view the military presence as a mechanism through which Russia maintains political leverage over the country.
The issue has become increasingly sensitive as Moldova accelerates efforts to join the European Union by 2030.
Moldova’s pro-European government has repeatedly argued that the unresolved status of Transdniestria represents a major obstacle to national sovereignty and regional stability.
Despite these geopolitical tensions, both Beijing and Chisinau appear interested in maintaining pragmatic diplomatic engagement.
China’s foreign ministry said Wang emphasized Beijing’s willingness to work with Moldova to “further cement mutual trust” and expand cooperation between the two countries.
Analysts view China’s outreach to Moldova as part of a broader effort by Beijing to strengthen ties across Eastern Europe while balancing its strategic partnership with Russia.
China has sought to position itself as a neutral actor in the Ukraine conflict, although Western governments have often criticized Beijing for maintaining close political and economic ties with Moscow during the war.
For Moldova, maintaining communication with China may serve economic and diplomatic interests, even as the country continues to strengthen integration with the European Union and deepen cooperation with Western partners.
The meeting also reflects the increasingly complex diplomatic environment facing smaller European states located near the conflict zone.
Moldova has experienced growing economic and security pressures since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, including energy instability, refugee inflows and heightened concerns over regional security.
At the same time, the country has attempted to balance domestic reforms with its broader geopolitical ambitions of closer alignment with Europe.
China, meanwhile, continues to expand its diplomatic footprint globally by cultivating relations with countries across multiple political blocs, including states with close ties to the European Union.
Although the Ukraine conflict remains a point of disagreement between Beijing and Chisinau, both sides appear to be prioritizing continued dialogue and broader bilateral cooperation.
The Wang-Popsoi meeting therefore highlights how geopolitical rivals and partners alike are navigating increasingly complicated international relationships shaped by the war in Ukraine and evolving global power dynamics.
For Beijing, preserving stable ties with Moldova allows China to maintain influence in Eastern Europe while presenting itself as an advocate for diplomatic engagement rather than direct confrontation.
For Moldova, the visit offered an opportunity to maintain international partnerships while reinforcing its own strategic priorities amid continuing regional uncertainty.
