Blinken Warns China: Halt Supply to Russia Amid Ukraine Crisis
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has issued a warning that the United States will take action if China continues to supply Russia with materials used in its assault on Ukraine.
Speaking to the BBC in Beijing, the senior American diplomat asserted that he had clearly communicated to his counterparts that their actions are "contributing to the greatest threat" to European security since the Cold War.
Blinken did not specify the measures the US is prepared to undertake, but he underscored that progress has been made in certain areas. He commended Beijing for its efforts to halt the delivery of fentanyl to the US, noting that China remains the primary source of this substance, which the White House has identified as a public health crisis nationwide.
Furthermore, Blinken emphasized China's potential to play a "constructive" role in the Middle East, highlighting its utilization of its "relationship with Iran to exert pressure" against further escalation in the Israel conflict.
The visit, Blinken's second in 10 months, signifies a significant intensification of dialogue and diplomacy between these rival powers as they endeavor to restore relations to a balanced state after a period of immense tensions last year.
Relations between Washington and Beijing have been strained due to China's claims on Taiwan and the South China Sea, as well as US restrictions on exporting advanced technology. These tensions were exacerbated by a dispute over a spy balloon last February.
Recently, the US enacted legislation that would compel TikTok, owned by Chinese entities, to divest the highly popular video application or face a ban in America - a matter Blinken disclosed was not addressed during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Xi, who met with Blinken on Friday afternoon in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, acknowledged that both sides have made "some positive progress" since his meeting with US President Joe Biden in November. He stressed the importance of the countries being "partners, not rivals," suggesting that with a "positive view of China's development," relations could "truly stabilize, improve, and advance."
Blinken informed the BBC that a key avenue to foster "better relations" between China, the US, and Europe would be for Beijing "or some of its companies" to cease supplying "critical components" that aid Russia in producing more ammunition. These components encompass items such as "machine tools, microelectronics, and optics."
Translation by Iurie Tataru
