As it happened: Russian shelling prevents evacuations once again - Ukraine - BBC News
Russia continues to bombard Mariupol, Kharkiv and other key cities despite offering escape routes, Ukraine officials say.
There are two questions regarding China and the war in Ukraine.

Does it have enough leverage to convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to call off the invasion?

And, more crucially, how much does Beijing want to use its standing with Russia to stop the war?

Every year here in the Chinese capital, the foreign minister holds a press conference on the sidelines of the National People's Congress.

It is a highly scripted event, with questions screened beforehand so you know the answers have been approved at the highest levels of the Party.

Today Wang Yi was asked if China was disappointed with Russia’s behaviour and whether its own international standing had been diminished by Beijing's refusal to describe what is happening in Ukraine as an "invasion".

The foreign minister didn't respond regarding the word "invasion", but did say that his government was "willing if needed, together with the international community, to be part of a mediation" process to resolve the crisis.

Some analysts say Beijing is using this conflict to achieve geopolitical advantage and point to the economic lifeline it's now offering Russia to keep Putin afloat, while blaming the US for the war.

Asked about sanctions by a Russian reporter, Wang said China and Russia jointly opposed "attempts to revive a cold war mindset".

For the Chinese government to be part of any solution to the Ukraine war, it will also have to be a solution that is approved by the Kremlin.