The Chinese government has asked foreign embassies in Beijing to avoid displaying "propaganda" in an apparent response to shows of support for Ukraine.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping's government says it is neutral in Moscow's 15-month-old invasion of Ukraine but has repeated Russian justifications for the attack, accusing the U.S. and NATO of provoking Moscow.
A spokesperson for the European Union said the Protocol Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry circulated a note on May 8 to all diplomatic missions to the effect that they should "respect Chinese laws and regulations" and should not "use the external walls of embassies to carry out politicized propaganda to avoid causing disputes between countries."
The note does not specify what might constitute "politicized propaganda," nor does it communicate further on the matter, said the spokesperson, Nabila Massrali, adding that the EU delegation in Beijing "has not changed any items displayed at its front wall."
Another European diplomat who asked not to be identified further because of the sensitivity of the issue confirmed Massrali's account, saying the Foreign Ministry had asked embassies not to use their outer walls for "political propaganda."
He also said his government didn't "see any reason to change" its display.
The verbal request didn't mention Ukraine, according to the diplomats, but flags and placards set up by embassies of Canada, France, Germany and other governments are the only public displays by most foreign missions other than tourism advertisements.
A 2-meter-tall placard at the front gate of the Finnish Embassy has the flags of Finland and Ukraine and says "#WeStandWithUkraine." A billboard hung on Sweden's Embassy has the same phrase and flags of the two countries.
Some embassies also raised rainbow flags for Diversity Week and Wednesday's International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Such issues are considered highly politically sensitive by China's ruling Communist Party.
Asked for confirmation and details, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said embassies were obliged to "respect Chinese laws and regulations."
"China calls on embassies of all countries in China and representative offices of international organizations in China to perform their duties in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations or relevant international agreements," said the spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, without giving further details.