China's Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs, Li Hui, went on a tour of five countries this week. The itinerary of the trip, surrounded by a veil of secrecy, includes visits to Ukraine, Poland, Germany, France and Russia.
The mission is the first attempt to convince the world of Beijing's ability to play the role of mediator in the Ukrainian settlement. The Chinese peace plan for Ukraine ceases to look like a stillborn diplomatic project of Beijing for the United States and its European allies.