Former Chinese senior colonel: War in Ukraine 'has nothing to do with China' | DW Interview 

This has to be one of the best level-playing field interviews I've seen, both interviewer and interviewee, have precise questions and answers with deep knowledge of the subject matter, and what a treat to see no interruptions, cutting off in mid-sentence, changing the subject etc, I get the feeling both enjoyed this interview as much as we enjoyed watching it.

This is a great reporter. He raised questions and did not disrupt the interviewee and waited for the response before asking a follow up question. Why can't reporters all do it? Those so-called reporters seem to just raise questions for the sake of making a posture.

This is one of the best interviews I've seen in years. Open and honest, direct but respectful, and no sense of either side fighting for time or position.

It's nice to see an "old-fashioned" interview that follows diplomatic rules. No aggressive wolf warrior muscle flexing on the one hand, no aggressive rhetoric on the other. Diplomacy is not easy and rarely direct. But you can learn from both sides of a respectful interview if you listen to it critically and with distance.

This is the best exposition of the Chinese government's view on these topics which I've seen in years. Thank you DW, excellent work.

Impressive. He said all that with a straight face.

I do long-form interviews. This was a masterclass for me. This is the kind of journalism people crave, as all are better informed as a result. Knowledgeable, gave fresh perspective, concise following-up and clarifying questions (a sign of great listening), both knowledgeable, detached yet empathetic. Didn’t sense any kind of agenda here. This is what you get when you seek mutual understanding in lieu of pushing an agenda. Excellent!

Zhou Bo. I have never seen such an outspoken representative from China. Loud & Clear & Precise!

This reporter is Top Level. The questions and follow up questions are excellent!!

Man. This man is 200IQ. The journalist asked some questions that were basically hidden accusations but he calmly unfolded the questions and replied objectively.

This Chinese colonel is very sharp. Excellent interview! 👍

No sensationalism, just mutual respect, clear questions, clear answers. This is an awesome interview

Great interview respect on both sides led to a much better dialogue and understanding 👍

An excellent interview by both the reporter and the Chinese delegate. It was very informative, balanced, respectful and gave the Chinese point of view rationally and logically. Lets hope that more senior figures from all sides can have a similar approach.

Impressive this chinese colonel not only speaks and expresses in perfect english, but is well versed in understanding of present and historical geo politics.

As an American, this sounded like an incredibly reasonable conversation. I heard nothing coming from this man that sounded offensive or “evil”. He sounds like a respectful and proud Chinese man .

One of the best interviews I've ever seen. He's definitely an experienced politician, doesn't quite give out enough while answering the questions.

Well said Zhou Bo. Your answers should be clear enough for anyone who ask the same questions again & again.

Master class in interviewing. This should be shown in Journalism classes. Well done Richard Walker.

Brilliant. A highly-articulate representative of China presenting a clear argument about their position. We may not *like* the position, but it is wonderful to be able to hear it argued coherently and without interruption. Kudos to the interviewer - and, of course, the interviewee.

Richard Walker conducts some of the best live TV interviews. Unlike so many MSM 'big-mouths' he does not interrupt, allowing the person to express themselves fully. Such a relief to be able to listen for a change.

The problem with the statement.....is NATO was not expanding.....Russia was expanding! And what of NATO expansion.....did they ever expand over a Country that did not ask them to? And what business is that of Russia or China......? They make the treaties they wish to and they do not ask the West for permission.

Interviews like this are so important to gain international context. What an interview. Great answers. I wish more news/reporting had this level of professionalism.

Finally I am hearing someone with the intelligence to understand situations and implications. Excellent speech! Thank you!

This man is very well educated and speaks eloquently, he also practice the art of war quite well. He doesn’t boast of their power, making the enemy feel comfortable until they are ready to strike.

‘’ It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.:

This was a great interview, both sides stayed calm. Both were nice and honest.

This is a gem. Both on the interviewer and the interviewee ends. This is how you do classy, honest journalism and this is how you explain geopolitics. Countries will inevitably disagree, but the truth does not always lie on one side of history. I loved this and I also loved the segment on Hong Kong protesters which challenged their ideologies and their use of violence.

Questions and answers on point, never seen such an open discussion with a Chinese official on tv before.

This is a very interesting interview. Thank you for giving Mr. Zhou Bo the time to explain China's position and view on the Ukraine and Russia situation.

One of THE Best live interview I’ve ever heard. Both the sides didn’t hold up in speaking their mind, certainly not the reporter, even the Chinese diplomat answered so masterfully.

Sadly, Chinese officials have stated the same position countless times at many Foreign Ministry meetings. The difference with this interview is that the Foreign Ministry spokesperson was speaking in Mandarin, which Western media often distort or take out of context when reporting.

This dialogue between the two is so artful solely from how each carry out their point of view and the conversation.

This man is a great ambassador for his people

In my opinion, his line of questioning is designed to answer the audience's doubts, he opens the door to meaningful information and quality content reflected on how careful he was to ask proper questions to be respectful with the interviewee and the viewers, in short, he is what a real reporter is supposed to be. Most of the interviewers are just looking for the scandal line to scale up the ratings. Great job!

As an Asian American I really appreciate the respect the interviewer gives to our brother, often in the US journalist are rude and disrespectful to us Asians especially Chinese officials. Respect is a two way street and double standard is something we Asians in the West and in Asia find very insulting. WE can all learn, prosper and grow together as the human family, no need for war.

Amazing interview. Bravo to German media. More information, understanding and communication on REAL issues in this clip that a month watching any major American media outlet.

FYI, Zhou Bo started his military service in Chinese air force since 1979. Then he retired and now he is an academic in China's Tsinghua University and some military universities. He has studied in various western universities like Cambridge and Harvard. He often got interviewed by medias like BBC, NBC, and DW. The above information is from his webpage from China's Tsinghua University

I just appreciate the fact the DW interviewer didn't interrupt the interviewee. They don't even do that on 60 Minutes.

As a Chinese man, Mr Zhou Bo articulates our way of thinking and considerations perfectly.

This Chinese dude is awesome. The world would be so much safer if everyone can communicate their concerns and analyze clearly like him

I am very critical of the CCP, but for a Chinese official ( part of the delegation) and ex military leader, this was a surprisingly frank and open conversation. Very little dodging questions. ... different matter how much i agree, but def much better dialog than i have seen in a long time. Normally it is just blaming and deflection.

Pleasantly surprised by this dude. 👏 More honest, realist than expected. I hope 🤞🏻

这位代表的论点总结： 关于乌克兰： 中国作为尚未统一的国家， 对领土完整非常重视。俄国的入侵毫无疑问是对乌克兰主权和领土完整的侵犯。 中国同时也考虑了俄罗斯发动战争的原因。中国对俄罗斯确有同情，在于北约东扩压缩了俄罗斯的势力范围。 “势力范围”这个词很难听，但俄罗斯就是信奉这一点。我们理解普京的这种信条，但不代表我们同意这就是对的。 我们对遭受炮火的乌克兰人深表同情，但这是战争的结果，我们需要更关注战争的起因。不研究起因，就无法结束战争和乌克兰人的苦难。 中国对领土主权的强调已经表明了立场。中国经常批评美国，却没有直接谴责俄罗斯，是因为这两国对待中国的态度也不一样。美国把中国当对手，而中俄互为最大的邻国的关系良好很重要。不仅是邻国的原因，中俄在经济上也互相需要。 中俄关系不应该被和中国无关的事情而影响，比如乌克兰战争。 西方不应该强迫中国对与自己无关的事情站边，也不该因此假设中国在暗中支持俄罗斯。 相反，中国愿意做双方的调停者。 这场战争完全不符合中国利益。中国希望战争能够越快结束越好。 而西方对乌克兰的大力支持使战争不断升级。然而俄罗斯是无法这样就被打败的，俄罗斯当然也无法赢得这场战争。 中国很担忧同时坚决反对俄罗斯使用核武器，也反对俄罗斯使用核威胁。中国已经多次敦促俄罗斯不要使用核武器，这不是外交关系的问题，这是关乎人类文明的问题。 俄罗斯自己也承诺过，核战争没有赢家。 关于台湾问题： 中国至今没有统一台湾的具体时间表。 乌克兰战争爆发后，中国仍然保持冷静，国防预算仍然只有GDP的2%。 乌克兰战争的爆发与台湾海峡局势毫无关系。中国一直致力于和平统一，台湾被战争破坏殆尽完全不符合中国利益。但中国保留在极端情况下使用武力的选项。 佩罗西访问台湾，没有得到拜登和国防部的支持。美国如果爱好和平，就不应该如此挑衅中国。 美国的内部是分裂的，不仅是草根和精英，也包括不同的部门，甚至在军队内部也是。比如就有一个四星上将毫无根据的说中国会在2025年武统台湾，美国国防部就不同意这种说法。国防部就应该管好这位将军的嘴，而不是借着这位将军毫无根据的说法去质问中国。 关于中美关系： 中美双方都不希望擦枪走火，都希望关系能够稳定。 中方认为，双方实力要对等，和平才能得到保障。否则弱的一方一定会担心强的一方恃强凌弱。例子就是美苏冷战期间的大部分对话和协议都是在美苏实力接近的冷战初期达成的。 中国的军力比美国弱得多，2030年也赶不上。中国不可能跟美国全球争霸。只要能在西太平洋地区维护中国主权就足够了。

The NATO expansion excuse for the aggression is hilariously sad at this point

China be like:" If you dont bother me, I wont bother you" stance.

Great interview. Nice to see two people who at least have done their homework.

What a worthy diplomat with such matured statements , from 🇮🇳

Man, this journalist is a beast. That's exactly what a journalist should be and how they should work always. Asking the right questions, without fears and without disrespect. Congrats

Enjoyed this candid interview from a Chinese Delegation member. I don’t agree with the NATO expansion argument by Putin but it is great to understand the thoughts of the Chinese Gov’t on this matter.

This interviewer should get a prize for it. So many politicians, and soon to be interviewers should analyze this interview and learn from it. If we in the Netherlands had only 1 interviewer with 10% of the capabilities of Richard Walker, i would be delighted!

Colonel Zhou Bo is an outstanding communicater. He represents China position perfectly.

I think why many feel that this was a good interview is because it's one of the rare occasions when you hear things direct from the horse's mouth and not intentionally mistranslated or have vital information left out. Of course you'd also require a genuinely respectful journalist to pull it off.

NATO has kept peace in Europe. It was a mistake not to include Ukraine.

This reporter asked insightful and precise questions and received detailed answers... excellent interview.

Well spoken, Mr. former Chinese Senior Military Colonel Zhou Bo. This was refreshing to hear him speaking comparing to western diplomats speaking.

This is a great interview! It really shows some of the miscommunication and misunderstanding, I think, between the United States and China. There are trust issues with the 2 countries, and I would argue the trust issues go both ways and are valid on each side. I have to say this is an amazing interview though.... hats off to the interviewer and DW! Hats off to this Chinese colonel for showing transparency or at least what seems to be transparency. The East and West think so differntly, but hopefully our humanity will bring us together. Can the human race be civil and respectful to each other? Even though history doesn't share my optimism, I think and hope we can. Thanks for a great interview!

A very respectful interview. I feel like in the first answer you can feel that the interviewee has to make conscious effort not phrase it in a way that deviates from his government's official standpoint. The second most interesting part for me was the part about nuclear weapons, where a clear stance was formulated. Other than that, it is nice to see that civilized talks without too much name-calling are still possible.

Mr. Zhou is so clear addressing such sensitive matters. Powerful man

I was very impressed with the Chinese gentleman. He was courteous to all questions asked and gave such good replies. I sincerely wish for good relations with China as we have but one world and living in harmony is what all nations should strive for.

Great interview and an even better response. Zhou answers addressed the questions very well, was informative and brought up many great valid points. Very impressive.

That was some serious word salad when he was asked about Ukrainians right to self determination.

Imagine an American colonel speaking so fluid Chinese.

One of the best interviews I have seen. Balanced and well mannered. The Colonel was just as excellent!

11:39 that was such a tactful answer! I need to be taking lessons from this guy. his answer even put my mind at ease.

I am very impressed at Mr. Zhou Bo, interesting man.

This man is very smart and calculated in what he spoke. 👏👏👏

Great interview. Can western media lose their "westcentric" way of thinking? Can we become objective?

This Chinese man actually makes perfect sense...Good interview!

A masterful interviewer. He took us all around the BS and back

Ex Soviet states really have no choice. If they want their sovereignty intact, they need to join NATO.

He is trying to tell a lesson to the Europeans to get alone with your neighbor Russia and try to say no to the country far away, at least for once

I like Zhou Bo...he should be China next president. He thinks out his answers and never once dodged one. Also he speaks English pretty well. I'll be keeping an eye on him.

This is probably the best interview I’ve ever watched on the subject,

He makes a good point that really this war has nothing to do with China.

This is why I respect DW. If this was the BBC or any American news network, this man would be interrupted every few seconds. It’s getting exhausting watching journalists constantly trying to steer the answers of their interviewees towards their own agendas.

Great interview. Thank you.

China is the land of wisdom 💗

Great reporting and also clear answers. The interviewed never deflected difficult questions. Wish all politicians could communicate like this.

That man is wise and well spoken. Great to hear such clear thoughts

🤖 Great interview, no gaslighting and mr.Zhou makes great points!🤖

The answers are spot on, can not say much more than that.

Mr. Zhou should be a key person in 外交部!!! great composure and communication skills, need this kind of people to effective dealing with the world.

Excellent interview. I feel a bit better for my grandchildren’s future. 🇦🇺

World class Chinese official and reporter 🎉

What an intelligent, well spoken proper statesman. Refreshing

What an intelligent, thoughtful man!

This one Chinese diplomat makes more sense than all of the western commentators combined. ❤

It seems the Colonel discusses the point of view of China pretty frankly even if he is just repeating the official position. He's a great diplomat.

“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”-Albert Einstein

Excusing war crimes with political rhetoric

This is real journalism at it's best. We don't see this from our mainstream news in America.

Great interview. The colonel sounds genuine and intelligent man.

Wonderful interview. Excellent and patient reply with carefully worded replies.

One can never overrate the importance of mutual communication. Listening to the grievances, objections and complaints of a sometimes irrationally or even mythically envisaged "Enemy" could lead to a more emapthically perceived thinking and most of all an awareness of the generally irrational albeit often through thoughtless statements provoked fears of theirs. This could well lead us also to question our own thinking. Zhou Bo forinstance mentioned the divisive opnions even within the military establishment of USA, a career driven enterprise, if there ever was one. No body is perfect, even when some are driven more from fear than others. Fear mongering however is the bread and butter of many human beings and the ultimate driving force that galvanises the masses. Well done. More such communication should be the order of the day.

It never being a better time to stop buying made in China and start buying made in your country 🇨🇦🇺🇸👍

This Chinese gentleman is really on top of his game. He is able to articulate very subtle nuances very well. He is a top notch diplomat. I welcome reasoning over kinetic conflict any day.

China: we respect sovereignty Also China: Russian sphere of influence must be respected

I almost never comment on RU-vid videos, however I must say this was an excellent interview! Fantastic on both ends! 👏

Most Respected interview ever, asking and listening, no interruption, fully understanding each other, well done. Keep going 👍