On March 20, Ambassador Qin Gang took an interview with Margaret Brennan of CBS “Face the Nation” and elaborated China’s position on Ukraine. The Transcript is as follows:

Margaret Brennan: Following their call on Friday, the White House said that President Biden had made it clear to President Xi what the consequences would be if China provides material support to Russia. Joining us now is China's Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang. Mr. Ambassador, good to see you. Good morning to you.

Ambassador Qin: Good morning.

Margaret Brennan: So President Biden asked Beijing not to provide any kind of support to Russia. Is it your intent to go ahead and give a lifeline to Vladimir Putin?

Ambassador Qin: On Friday, President Xi Jinping and President Biden had a video call. It was candid, deep and constructive. President Xi Jinping gave China's position very clearly, that is China stands for peace, opposes war. China is a peace-loving country. We hate to see the situation in Ukraine come to today's, like this, and we call for immediate ceasefire. We are promoting peace talks and we are sending humanitarian assistance to--

Margaret Brennan: Will you send money and weapons to Russia, though?

Ambassador Qin: Well, there's disinformation about China providing military assistance to Russia. We reject that.

Margaret Brennan: You won't do so, Beijing will not?

Ambassador Qin: What China is doing is sending foods, medicine, sleeping bags and baby formula, not weapons and ammunition to any party. We are against wars, as I said, we will do everything to de-escalate the crisis.

Margaret Brennan: Russia’s foreign minister said yesterday that Moscow and Beijing will only get closer because of what's happening. Is he right?

Ambassador Qin: China and Russia have trusted relations. It was built over many years. It was built on many issues. We have a long shared border, as long as over 4,000 kilometers. We have a lot of common interests. The trusted relations with Russia give us a unique position in the international efforts for peace talks.

Margaret Brennan: That’s exactly what the White House is saying, that you are in such a position of power here to pick up the phone and call Vladimir Putin. Has Xi Jinping, your President, told Vladimir Putin to stop the invasion? Do you condemn it?

Ambassador Qin: Actually, on the second day of Russia’s military operation, President Xi Jinping did talk to President Putin...

Margaret Brennan: Was that their last phone call?

Ambassador Qin: ...asking President Putin to think about resuming peace talks with Ukraine. President Putin listened to it, and we have seen four rounds of peace talks have happened. Let me continue. China's trusted relations with Russia is not a liability. It’s an asset in the international efforts to solve the crisis in a peaceful way. China is part of the solution. It’s not part of the problem.

Margaret Brennan: So are you saying Beijing will not provide financial support to Moscow to prolong this war?

Ambassador Qin: China has normal trade, economic, financial, energy cooperation with Russia, as I said just now.

Margaret Brennan: So you're not changing your relationship.

Ambassador Qin: These are normal business between two sovereign countries based on international laws, including WTO rules.

Margaret Brennan: Let’s talk about those international laws, because four days ago, the International Court of Justice ordered Russia to stop its military actions. China abstained from that, the votes 13 to 2. The only country that stood next to Russia was China. That sounds like you are condoning and not condemning.

Ambassador Qin: China makes its observation and conclusion independently based on the merits of the matter itself.

Margaret Brennan: United Nations Secretary-General said that Russia invaded Ukraine.

Ambassador Qin: On one hand, China upholds the UN Charter purposes and principles, including respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, including Ukraine. On the other hand, we do see there's a complexity in the history of the Ukraine issue.

Margaret Brennan: Would you be concerned if Russia amassed more than 150,000 troops at China's border?

Ambassador Qin: Well, That's why we have good-friendly, good-neighborly relations with Russia.

Margaret Brennan: But you would recognize it’s not good-friendly, neighborly relations with 150,000 troops on the border of the neighboring country and then to send those troops into that country. In those circumstances, why can't you condemn this as an invasion?

Ambassador Qin: Let's not be naive.

Margaret Brennan: It sounds naive to say that's not an invasion.

Ambassador Qin: Condemnation doesn't solve the problem. I would be surprised if Russia will back down by condemnation. What is urgently needed is…

Margaret Brennan: Will they back down if your President asks Vladimir Putin to back down? Will your President ask Vladimir Putin to back down? 

Ambassador Qin: We have done so. And we will continue to promote peace talks and urge immediate ceasefire. Condemnation only doesn't help. We need wisdom. We need courage. And we need good diplomacy.

Margaret Brennan: Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he would like to meet with Vladimir Putin. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in a bunker. Vladimir Putin is at a political pro-war rally right now. You can't have diplomacy when it is only one country willing to actually negotiate.

Ambassador Qin: China has good relations with Russia, has good relations with Ukraine. And China keeps close communications with the United States and with Europe. These enable China to reach to all parties concerned in the crisis. So China's unique role can help with the peaceful settlement of the crisis.

Margaret Brennan: Tell me then- because I keep hearing you say that. I want to understand how China is helping, if you are not condemning, if you are not cutting off Vladimir Putin from continuing this war, this war that is roiling the entire global economy, sending food prices and energy prices spiking. China wants stability. But why not cut off Vladimir Putin? 

Ambassador Qin: We have already made it very clear that national sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, including Ukraine, should be respected and protected. But as I said, condemnation only cannot work. What we need is good diplomacy based on vision, wisdom, and courage. And looking ahead the enduring approach to the security issue in Europe...

Margaret Brennan: I want to talk to you about one quick thing before we run out of time. You talked about how important the U.N. is and what respect you have for it. So a U.N. human rights panel said there are credible reports that a million Uighurs are in a massive internment camp shrouded in secrecy, and the High Commissioner for Refugees and Human Rights will go to China soon. Will you give them unlimited access?

Ambassador Qin: I totally reject that.

Margaret Brennan: Yes, you will give access or no you won't give access? 

Ambassador Qin: There's no so-called human rights violation. 

Margaret Brennan: So you will give access? 

Ambassador Qin: We are in talks with the Human Rights Special Commissioner. I understand there's a agreement.

Margaret Brennan: We got to go. All right. Thank you very much, Ambassador.  

Ambassador Qin: Thank you for having me.