Sino-Moldovan relations in the wake of the Ukrainian crisis. The Transnistrian issue

The history of Sino-Moldavian relations started in 1992. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the relationship between the two countries have been politically cordial but it never have risen to a strategic level. In recent years, the relations are increasing in the economic field but are stagnating at the political level. The People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Moldova are characterized by huge differences on size, politics and economics, but despite the dissimilarities, both the two countries are affected by issues questioning their territorial integrity. China must face separatism issues in Xinjiang and Tibet, with Taiwan that represents an old thorn in the flesh. Moldova is long time affected by secessionist issues in Gagauzia and Transnistria, with the latter representing a de facto separate State. Since the enunciation of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence in 1954, the respect of territorial integrity is a cornerstone of the Chinese foreign policy. In recent years, however, China has almost become the first economy in the world and Beijing consequently appears to slightly modify its attitude within the international arena. Therefore, the respect of the Five Principles is now under question. As a consequence, the Chinese approach to the territorial integrity of other countries may be subject of reconsideration as well. Ukraine offers a huge test to the Chinese diplomacy and it seems that Beijing has legitimated Crimea’s secession from Ukraine. Eventually, this paper aims to investigate the Chinese attachment to the principle of respect of territorial integrity in the remote case of Russian annexation of Transnistria