But authorities on Chinese social media sites are also trying to suppress harsh comments about the fight. It's like walking down a narrow path.
Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that there was "no limit" to Beijing's strong ties with Russia.
What kind of content is China censoring?
Posts that express unilateral support or opposition to Russian military action are being removed.
"No one will dare to stand with Ukraine anymore," wrote one on the Chinese social media website Weibo. This is a complete unilateral support for Russia. "
Before the war, a letter from a retired Russian general was being shared on the messaging app VChat, in which he demanded the resignation of President Putin. It has also been blocked.
Some pro-Russian comments have also been deleted.
Russia's state-run news agency RTA posted a "thank you" for China's support on its Weibo account, but it was also removed. "I am glad that Russia has made a difficult decision to fight the neo-Nazis in Ukraine," he wrote in a deleted post on Weibo. Sanctions on Russia are unacceptable.
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| China is trying to remain neutral at the diplomatic level during the ongoing war in Ukraine |
How does China censor social media?
Social media companies in China are constantly receiving instructions from the government on what to do with specific content and are being pressured to comply.
A few such instructions were reportedly reported by China Digital Times. They are believed to have been released this month by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). It called on commercial websites and local media not to use "live streams or hashtags" related to the Ukraine war.
It said foreign media reports and the publication of unilateral "misleading messages" were strictly prohibited.
"I think this guide is very authoritative," said Sarah Cook, a media expert in China. It was obtained from a reputable source and the instructions given there are consistent with the past regarding media control there.
Since the beginning of the Russian intervention, social media companies have been forced to remove dangerous or provocative posts.
Tweak's alternative app in China, Doyen, said last week that it had removed 498 videos and 2,657 comments. This was due to misinformation and inappropriate messages which could spread 'hate' and 'war sentiments'. It also suspended hundreds of accounts.
Weibo says it has deleted thousands of accounts and a large number of posts showing the "wrong" situation in Ukraine. It has also announced the introduction of geolocation labels to verify content.
The video streaming app Blibley said it deleted 1,642 "inappropriate messages" last month and suspended 57 accounts.
Both VChat and Bilbili have called on consumers to be "neutral" and "sensible" in discussing the situation in Ukraine.
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| The Russian move is not called "war" or "intervention" on Chinese news channels |
What statement is China promoting?
The situation in Ukraine continues to be covered by both the state and local media, but Russia's actions are not being called "war" or "intervention."
Double Think Lab, an organization that monitors fake news, has said that the Chinese media is regularly spreading false information and conspiracy theories, citing Russian sources.
False claims are being made by the Chinese media, such as "Ukrainians set fire to their own nuclear plant". And these claims are not being confirmed.
Ukraine's resistance has not been covered, nor has Russia's response to Western intervention.
"I think there is an imbalance in censorship of Ukraine-related material," Cook said. The (Chinese) position is being targeted for a different opinion.
Whenever the media criticizes the events in Ukraine, it is in fact targeting the United States, which has been blamed for the fighting.
An article in the Chinese newspaper Global Times accused the United States of making a profit by selling arms to Ukraine. In another development, the United States has been accused of providing false information about Ukraine in a bid to discredit China.
Russian state media has long had a presence in China. Most foreign websites are banned or heavily censored.
The Russian channel Sputnik has 11.6 million followers on Weibo, and most of the Chinese state media cover the Ukraine war with reference to it.
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