China Walks Tightrope Between World Powers

Russia is putting its nuclear forces on high alert over Ukraine. But across the border—China is walking a tightrope.

On one hand, the Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping talked to Russian President Vladamir Putin last Friday. Chinese State broadcaster CCTV said Russia was willing to hold “high-level negotiations” with Ukraine. It gave many the impression that China was trying to play mediator.