When Ukraine captured two Chinese citizens serving in the Russian army in April, Volodymyr Zelenskiy demanded answers: According to intelligence information, at least 155 Chinese mercenaries have been deployed for Russia to date, said the Ukrainian president. Why is Beijing not doing anything about the fact that Russian recruitment videos promising high pay and heroic glory are being circulated on Chinese social media? Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, replied that these individuals acted independently. Chinese citizens are constantly urged to refrain from armed conflicts anywhere in the world, he added.