I had the opportunity to interact with Chinese people, government representatives and companies in order to gather first-hand information. China is categorically against war, mainly because it creates problems for the economy, as a nation at the center of trade relations with both Russia and Ukraine. The apparent neutrality is due to the “friendship” they have towards everyone and that they tend to want to keep.
Important is the view they have of the behavior of the West. I have been told that they think Europe’s behavior is partly hypocritical. Their message to Ukraine is to beware of the West which, in all likelihood, is promising things it cannot deliver.
Personally, however, I believe that we are focusing too much on “washing sanctions”, sanctions to show that we are against the war and then in substance there is little that really affects Russia as a deterrent.