On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with senior Chinese officials in Beijing and expressed the strongest possible stance on the US view of China’s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Blinken directly pointed out that without China’s support, Russia’s attack on Ukraine would be difficult to sustain.
The US has accused China of providing dual-use military and civilian goods to Russia for the production of rockets, drones, tanks, and other weapons.
During the meeting on Friday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping, Blinken reiterated the US’s serious concerns to China regarding its support for Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.
He stated that China is the largest supplier of machinery tools, microelectronics, nitrocellulose (vital for producing ammunition and rocket propellants), and other dual-use products. “Moscow is using these products to strengthen its defense industry base, which is manufacturing rockets, drones, tanks, and other weapons. President Putin is using these weapons to invade a sovereign country, destroy its electrical grid and other civilian infrastructure, and kill innocent children, women, and men.”
“Without China’s support, Russia will find it difficult to sustain its attack on Ukraine,” Blinken said.
During the meeting with senior Chinese officials, Blinken also hinted that the US and Europe are losing patience with Beijing’s refusal to stop supporting Russia.
He mentioned that European allies are deeply concerned about Chinese support for Russia’s defense industrial base, as it not only threatens Ukraine’s security but also Europe’s security. This has led many Europeans to instinctively feel the medium to long-term threat that Russia may pose to them. He added that such concerns were heard at last week’s Group of Seven (G7) meeting.
“As I’ve said, we are also examining the actions we’re prepared to take if we don’t see the change. We have already – in the case of the United States, we have imposed sanctions, export controls, and other measures on over a hundred Chinese entities. We are prepared to take action, and take additional steps,” the Secretary of State stated.
The Wall Street Journal had previously reported, based on insider information, that the US is drafting sanctions that may sever some Chinese banks’ ties to the global financial system. These banks serve as crucial intermediaries for China’s commercial exports to Russia, handling payments and providing credit for their clients’ trade transactions.
However, Blinken did not reveal the specific details of the actions the US is planning to take while in Beijing.
During his visit to China, Blinken also warned China that it is not possible to support Russia while posing a threat to Europe and improve relations with Europe at the same time.
“As we have been telling China for some time, ensuring transatlantic security is a core US interest. In our discussions today, I made it clear that if China does not address this issue, we will,” he said.