During a press conference in Beijing, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed grave concerns about China’s involvement in sustaining Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He pointed out that China is a major supplier of essential components for Moscow’s defense industrial base, including machine tools, microelectronics, and nitrocellulose. These materials are used to make munitions, rocket propellants, and other weapons that Russia is using to invade a sovereign country.
Blinken emphasized that Russia would struggle to continue its assault on Ukraine without China’s support. He stated that the weapons supplied by China are being used to destroy civilian infrastructure and harm innocent civilians. The US Secretary of State highlighted the impact of China’s actions on European security, emphasizing that supporting Russia’s defense industrial base poses a threat to the region.
Blinken also mentioned that maintaining transatlantic security is a core US interest, and that China’s support for Russia undermines this goal. He stressed that China cannot improve relations with Europe while backing the greatest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War. Blinken warned that if China does not address this issue, there will be consequences in terms of the relationship between the US and China.
In conclusion, Blinken expressed serious concerns about China’s role in sustaining Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He emphasized the negative impact on European security and urged China to address this issue if it wants to improve its relations with Europe and maintain transatlantic security.