The US Secretary of State declares that Beijing is echoing Russian propaganda in the world
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed Russian aggression in Ukraine during more than five hours of talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in which he raised concerns about Beijing's ties to Moscow.
"What we hear from Beijing is that it claims to be neutral. It is very difficult to be neutral when it comes to this war. There is an aggressor, there is a victim, there is a challenge not only for the lives of people in Ukraine, but there is a real challenge for the international order".
US officials have stated that China has avoided imposing sanctions on Russia as punishment for the war against Ukraine, something that Blinken also emphasized in a statement to the media.
"More than four months after this brutal invasion, Beijing is still on Russia's side, echoing Russian propaganda around the world, defending Russia in international organizations. I believe she is shirking her responsibilities as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and is even engaging in joint military exercises."
Senior US officials have warned of consequences, including sanctions if China provides material support for the war, which Moscow calls a "special military operation".
Despite the rivalry between the two countries, the world's two largest economies remain major trading partners, and Biden is considering lifting tariffs on a range of Chinese goods to curb rising US inflation.