Antony Blinken To Warn China Over Support For Russia's Military During Upcoming Visit

Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, is set to caution China about its assistance to Russia’s military during his upcoming visit to China.

What Happened: Blinken is expected to express the U.S.’s “deep concerns” over China’s backing of Russia’s defense industry during his three-day visit to China, starting Wednesday, stated a senior State Department official.

"We're prepared to take steps when we believe necessary against firms that … severely undermine security in both Ukraine and Europe," the official said ahead of Blinken's trip. 

"And I think we've demonstrated our willingness to do so regarding firms from a number of countries, not just China," he added. "At any rate, again, I think this will be a key issue of discussion while we're in Beijing."

The official also mentioned that the U.S. is prepared to take action against companies that significantly undermine security in Ukraine and Europe, not just those from China.

China’s support for Russia’s military in Ukraine is a major concern for U.S. allies in Europe, and Blinken is expected to address this issue during his visit.

This will be Blinken’s second trip to China, following a diplomatic mission in June last year to ease U.S.-China tensions. During his visit, he is scheduled to meet with senior Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

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Why It Matters: The U.S. has been ramping up pressure on China over its support for Russia’s military. Earlier this month, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Chinese banks and exporters against aiding Russia's military capacity, citing potential sanctions.

Yellen’s caution followed Secretary of State Blinken's statement to EU and NATO foreign ministers, which noted that Beijing's assistance to Moscow, including tools, inputs, and technical expertise, is at an alarming level.

Earlier in April, Blinken also expressed unease over the military aid that Russia's defense sector is receiving from North Korea, Iran, and China.

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