The head of US diplomacy, Antony Blinken, said that the Chinese government is ready to send arms to Russia for its war against Ukraineand detect Beijing that any supplies “would cause a serious problem“.
“The concern we have now is based on the information we have that they are considering providing lethal support.” to Moscow to use in his invasion of UkraineBlinken told CBS on Sunday.
Asked what this type of support would imply, the Secretary of State said: “Everything from ammunition to the weapons themselves.”
In this sense, Blinken detected his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, of the consequences of Beijing’s material support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in a “sincere” conversation on the sidelines of a security conference, according to official US sources.
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Relations between the two countries became even more tense since, according to Washington, China flew over the continental United States with a spy balloon that was shot down by fighter jets by order of President Joe Biden.
Speaking to reporters, a State Department official said that China is trying to “have it both ways” by claiming it wants to contribute to peace and stability, but at the same time taking “worrying” steps to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The secretary was quite forceful in warning about the indications and consequences of China providing material support to Russia or helping Russia to systematically evade sanctions,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
In an interview with NBC News quoted by ReutersBlinken said Washington has information that China could provide lethal war aid to Russia.
China warns US of rising tensions
The West has been wary of China’s response to the Ukraine war, and some have warned that a Russian victory could influence Beijing’s actions toward Taiwan. China refrained from condemning the war or calling it an “invasion.”
Earlier, speaking on a panel at the conference, Wang reiterated a call for dialogue and suggested European countries “think calmly” about how to end the war.
He also said there was “some forces that apparently do not want the negotiations to succeed, or the war to end soon”, without specifying who he was referring to.
China did not apologize for the balloon’s flight through US airspace
The dispute over the balloon – which flew over the United States and Canada before being shot down on President Joe Biden’s orders – further damaged bilateral relations and came as the West kept close watch on Beijing’s response to the war in Ukraine.
Early on Saturday, Wang claimed that the US handling of the balloon incident had been “unimaginable” and “hysterical”, an “absurd” act that had violated international standards.
“There are many balloons all over the world, is the United States going to shoot them all down?” Wang, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said at the Security Conference. from Munich.
An alleged Chinese surveillance balloon, which Beijing denies was a government spy craft, spent a week flying over the United States and Canada before being shot down off the Atlantic coast earlier this month by order of US President Joe Biden.
US spies or Russian distractions? The “war of the balloons” worsens with new suspicions
The incident had occurred to Blinken to postpone a visit planned earlier in the month to Beijing.
Wang responded to questions from the Munich conference moderator about the incident, and was asked if he would commit to the US delegates present to restore a more normal dialogue between the countries.
“We call on the United States to show sincerity and correct its mistakes, come forward and resolve this incident, which has damaged Sino-US relations.”declared the official.
“We hope that the United States can pursue a pragmatic and positive policy towards China, and work with China to return Sino-US relations to the path of healthy development.”
In the interview with NBC, Blinken said that during their meeting Wang did not apologize for the balloon flight. through US airspace.
Blinken was”very direct and frank“throughout the meeting and repeatedly stressed to Wang that the violation of US sovereignty caused by the spy balloon must never be repeated,” the State Department official said.
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