Despite maintaining close economic ties with Russia during Moscow's three-year war in Ukraine, China has sought to project an image of neutrality and denies any involvement in the war. Friday's disclaimer followed Zelenskiy's remarks at a press conference the previous day that China was supplying weapons and gunpowder to Russia,

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused China of supplying weapons to Russia in its war against his country, saying he would present detailed evidence next week.

China has been flexing its economic and diplomatic muscles in recent weeks in an attempt to counter President Donald Trump’s trade war, in which Beijing is the biggest target. Let’s take stock of some of the tactics America’s fiercest global competitor is using.