Russia moves to annex Crimea

By LI XIAOKUN and ZHANG YUNBI (China Daily) Updated: 2014-03-18 02:58

Chinese observers say the process may be lengthy; West looks to increase sanctions

Russia is working on legislation allowing Crimea to join the country, with the West vowing tougher sanctions against Moscow after Sunday's Crimean referendum.

Crimea formally applied to join Russia on Monday after 97 percent of voters in the referendum opted in favor of quitting Ukraine.

Chinese analysts said uncertainties remain over Crimea joining Russia and it could be a lengthy process.

Crimeans celebrate in Lenin Square in the capital Simferopol on Sunday after referendum results showed an overwhelming majority voted in favor of the autonomous republic joining Russia. The Russian lower house will issue a statement on the referendum on Tuesday. [Photo/Agencies]

Russia's Interfax News Agency quoted Deputy Speaker of the State Duma, Sergei Neverov, as saying on Monday that the lower house of parliament will pass legislation allowing Crimea to join Russia "in the very near future".

It also said the lower house will issue a statement on Tuesday in support of Crimea's referendum results.

Crimea's Deputy Prime Minister, Rustam Temirgaliyev, was quoted by Interfax as saying that the region has set up a new central bank and is expecting to receive $30 million in support from Russia to help stabilize its financial situation.

Feng Yujun, director of the Russian Studies Division at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said countermeasures from the West and strong concerns from other members of the former Soviet Union will remain worries for Russia.

Qu Xing, president of the China Institute of International Studies, said the process of annexing Crimea will be a long one.

He said it is hard to predict Crimea's future. "It depends on interaction among the West, Russia and Ukraine."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, commenting on the referendum, said on Monday that China respects all countries' independent sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"The issue should be politically resolved within the framework of law and order," he said.