HONG KONG—Anyone seeking news on the latest Russia-Ukraine developments in the Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily would be disappointed: Its front page and international section were devoid of articles on the conflict gripping the planet, reflecting the reluctance of China’s leaders to take a clear stance on it.
However, on China’s more freewheeling social media, internet users and prominent nationalist voices offered sympathy for Russian President Vladimir Putin, at times casting doubt on the West’s reliability and blaming the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for fueling the conflict.
