How China continues to lose friends in Central and Eastern Europe

Refusal to denounce Russia's Ukraine invasion alienates allies in the region

20221031 China and Central and Eastern Europe

Chinese President Xi Jinping. Angry over Beijing's reluctance to denounce Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, many countries in Europe are rethinking ties with China. (Source photos by AP and Reuters)

HIROYUKI AKITA, Nikkei commentator

November 3, 2022 15:54 JST

TOKYO -- A growing number of Central and Eastern European countries are moving away from China as Beijing continues to maintain close ties with Russia despite Moscow's brutal invasion of Ukraine.

China is facing a strong backlash from countries in the region as it has refused to denounce the aggression. Beijing's reluctance to condemn the invasion has hit a nerve among countries that have historically suffered from Moscow's severe political suppression and geopolitical ambitions.