Blinken returns to China with criticism of Beijing’s military support for Russia

The Secretary of State for U.S, Antony Blinkendisembarked this Wednesday, 24th, at China for his second trip to the country in a year, with the aim of pressuring the Chinese government to rethink its military support for the Russia, in addition to maintaining stable bilateral relations. The diplomat will arrive at Beijing on Friday the 26th, with the message that the West will not tolerate sales of weapons and semi-military equipment to Moscow, which could help Russian President Vladimir Putin to intensify attacks on Ukraine.

Recently, relations between China and the United States have become more stable. Since Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with White House chief Joe Biden in 2023, Beijing has taken a less bellicose stance toward Taiwan. Furthermore, the number of flights between the two countries has doubled since the leaders’ meeting. During Xi’s visit to California, he also agreed to take measures to stem the flow of materials used in fentanyl production in Latin America.

The trip

Blinken’s first stop is Shanghai, where the head of US diplomacy is expected to talk to students and watch a basketball game. This kind of grassroots diplomacy would have been impossible a year ago, when bilateral relations were tense, particularly over Taiwan. He will then go to Beijing for a meeting with his counterpart, Wang Yi, on Friday, the 26th. The Chinese leader is also expected to participate in the meeting, which will address the sales of Chinese products of possible military use to Russia, in addition to sanctions Americans against Chinese companies. The American newspaper The Wall Street Journal recently stated that the Biden administration is considering imposing some bans on Chinese banks.

The United States’ position on the war in Ukraine is believed to be strengthened. After a summit of foreign ministers from the G7, a group of the world’s seven richest nations, the foreign ministers issued a statement earlier this week emphasizing that “China must ensure that this support (the Russia) cease.”

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What does China say

The pressure could cause the Chinese government to back away from supplying weapons directly to Russia. Calling for a ban on sales of industrial goods in general, however, is a difficult task. Before Blinken’s arrival, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin reaffirmed China’s position.

“Let me emphasize once again that China’s right to conduct normal trade and economic exchanges with Russia and other countries in the world on the basis of equality and mutual benefit must not be interfered with or disturbed,” Wang said, according to the chinese newspaper Beijing Youth Daily. “China’s legitimate rights and interests must not be infringed.”