BEIJING
\nChina is now fully open to Russian wheat deliveries, as all import restrictions have been lifted, the South China Morning Post has reported, citing the country\u2019s General Administration of Customs.
\nThe announcement was made public, hours after Russia began its military operation in Ukraine, the paper says, adding that the deal could provide a lifeline to the Russian economy as it faces tough economic sanctions from the EU and the US, and at the same time addresses China\u2019s need to enhance food security.
\nChina previously restricted imports from Russia due to phytosanitary concerns, as a measure to control the spread of plant diseases. Earlier this month, during Russian President Vladimir Putin\u2019s visit to Beijing, China agreed to allow imports from Russia.
\nThe crisis in Ukraine sent global wheat prices to record highs this week. Russia, the world\u2019s top wheat exporter, and Ukraine, dubbed \u2018the breadbasket of Europe\u2019, both account for nearly a third of the global wheat export market.
\nChina refused to condemn Russia\u2019s actions in Ukraine, instead calling for the sides to \u201cexercise restraint\u201d and accusing the United States of \u201cfueling fire\u201d in the region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BEIJING China is now fully open to Russian wheat deliveries, as all import restrictions have been lifted, the South China Morning Post has reported, citing the country\u2019s General Administration of Customs. The announcement was made public, hours after Russia began its military operation in Ukraine, the paper says, adding that the deal could provide a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-246812","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n