China has called for avoiding any "political manipulation" over the capture of two of its citizens in Ukraine after they fought on the side of the Russian army, Agence France-Presse reported, BTA reported.
"We urge affected parties to take into account China's objective and impartial position and refrain from political manipulation and media noise", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jiang told reporters.
"Chinese authorities are currently verifying the information and circumstances" surrounding the two citizens, he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week that Russia was carrying out "systematic activities" on recruiting Chinese fighters for his army in the war against Ukraine, Reuters reported.
The Ukrainian head of state made this statement days after he announced the capture of two Chinese fighters who fought on the side of Russia in eastern Ukraine. At the time, Zelensky explained that a total of six Chinese had participated in the battle in question.
"It is obvious that this is not an isolated case, but a systematic activity by Russia, in particular on the territory (of China) and under the jurisdiction of China, to recruit citizens of this country to participate in the war," Zelensky wrote on the social platform "Ex". He said that according to information from Ukrainian intelligence, at least 155 Chinese are currently fighting on the side of Russia against Ukraine.