Moscow. 26 April. INTERFAX.RU – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, after negotiations in Beijing with the Chinese leadership, expressed serious concern about data on China’s alleged supplies of equipment for Russia, applicable in the military sphere.
“In meetings today, I reiterated our grave concerns about China’s provision of components for Russian industry…” Blinken said at a news conference.
According to him, China supplies, in particular, machine tools and electronics that can be used for the production of weapons. “It would be difficult for Russia to maintain its offensive in Ukraine without Chinese support,” the secretary of state said.
He noted that Beijing cannot strive to build good relations with the West while continuing to provide assistance to Russia against the backdrop of its special operation in Ukraine. Blinken added that he did not know how Beijing would respond to his calls. “I have clearly expressed our position. Let’s see what actions follow,” the Secretary of State said.
Blinken warned that Washington is ready to take action if it does not see a reduction in supplies that worry it from China to the Russian Federation. “We are fully prepared to take action if there is no action from the Chinese side,” Blinken said, recalling that the United States has previously imposed sanctions against Chinese companies.
During his visit to China, Blinken held talks, in particular, with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s statement about China transferring technologies and equipment used in the military field to Russia is not true. He said Stoltenberg’s words were “baseless and aimed at shifting blame and increasing tensions.” “China is not a party involved in the Ukrainian crisis. China remains committed to peace and dialogue,” said a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The NATO Secretary General, during a visit to Berlin, said that China is helping Russia develop the military-industrial complex, in particular, by supplying dual-use products.
