China may provide Russia with munitions and ammunition for the Ukraine conflict, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Mr. Blinken told CBS News that Chinese companies were already supplying “non-lethal support” to Russia and that new information indicated that Beijing could also provide “lethal support.”
He warned that this escalation would have “serious consequences” for China.
The Chinese government has denied reports that Russia has requested military materiel.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has yet to condemn Russia’s invasion; however, he has attempted to remain neutral and has called for peace.
Mr. Blinken spoke to CBS after meeting China’s senior diplomat, Wang Yi, at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.
During the meeting, he reportedly conveyed “deep concerns” about the possibility that China will provide Russia with lethal material support.
“To date, Chinese companies have provided Russia with nonlethal support for use in Ukraine. Our current concern is based on intelligence that they are contemplating providing lethal support “he said.
He did not specify what information the United States had received regarding China’s potential intentions. When asked what the United States believed China might give to Russia, he stated that it would predominantly consist of weapons and ammunition.
The United States has sanctioned a Chinese corporation for allegedly providing satellite imagery of Ukraine to the mercenary Wagner Group, which provides thousands of fighters to Russia.
Mr. Blinken told CBS, “Of course, there is no true distinction between private companies and the state in China.”
If China supplied Russia with weapons, it would pose a “serious dilemma for us and our relationship,” he continued.
After the US shot down a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon in early February, relations between Washington and Beijing were already poor. Both parties exchanged furious words, but both appeared embarrassed by the incident and willing to move on.
However, if China were to provide munitions to Russian forces in Ukraine, US-Chinese relations would deteriorate significantly more.
Mr. Blinken’s warning is intended to deter China from doing that.
Mr. Blinken also stated that the United States was concerned about China assisting Russia in evading Western sanctions intended to impair the Russian economy. China has become one of the largest markets for Russian oil, gas, and coal, as its trade with Russia has increased.
Members of NATO, including the United States, are sending Ukraine a variety of armaments, ammunition, and equipment, including tanks. They have refrained from sending fighter aircraft, and Mr. Blinken would not say whether the United States would assist other nations in supplying jets.
He stated, “We’ve been very explicit that we shouldn’t fixate on any particular weapon system.”
However, he stated that the West must ensure Ukraine has the resources necessary for a potential counteroffensive against Russia “in the coming months.” Russia is presently attempting to advance in the eastern regions of Ukraine, where the war’s fiercest fighting has occurred.
Reuters reported that Mr. Wang stated yesterday in Munich that China had “neither stood by idly nor added fuel to the conflagration” of the Ukraine conflict.
Mr. Wang stated that China would publish a document outlining its position on resolving the conflict. According to him, the document would state that the territorial integrity of all nations must be respected.
Mr. Wang stated, “I propose that everyone, especially our European allies, begin to calmly consider what kind of efforts we can make to end this conflict.”
He added that there are “some forces that do not want negotiations to succeed or the war to end shortly,” but did not specify whom he was referring to.
According to Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani, Chinese President Xi is slated to deliver a “peace speech” on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Friday, February 24.
Reuters reported that Mr. Tajani told Italian radio that Mr. Xi’s speech would advocate for peace without condemning Russia.
During their encounter, Mr. Blinken and Mr. Wang exchanged harsh words regarding the escalating dispute over an alleged Chinese spy balloon shot down over the United States.
During the meeting, Mr. Blinken stated that the United States would not “stand for any violation of our sovereignty” and that “this irresponsible conduct must never occur again.”
Mr. Blinken told CBS that other countries were concerned about China’s surveillance balloon program spanning five continents.
Mr. Wang, on the other hand, described the incident as a “political farce manufactured by the United States” and accused them of “using all means to obstruct and suppress China.” China has denied deploying an intelligence balloon.
And on Sunday morning, Beijing warned that the United States would “bear all the consequences” if the balloon dispute escalated. China stated in a Reuters-reported foreign ministry stated that it would “follow through to the end” if the United States persisted in exploiting the situation.
