Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, has brought up the issue of Chinese firms providing machine equipment possibly aiding Russia’s military to Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader. Despite not clarifying potential US actions in case these exports continue after their discourse in the People’s Great Hall, Blinken confirmed he’d voiced his concerns emphatically. During a press briefing at the US embassy in Beijing, Blinken expressed that China’s contribution, specifically in non-weapon sectors like machine tools and microelectronics, is indirectly influencing the situation in Ukraine and the escalating menace Russia poses to European nations.
The above comment was made by Blinken as he concluded his three-day journey to China, marking one more in a series of engagements by high-ranking US representatives following Biden’s meeting with Xi in San Francisco last November. According to Xi, there have been successful efforts to secure the US-China relationship following the summit, however, there are still points of contention that remain unresolved.
In response to Biden signing a statute that could result in TikTok’s exclusion from the US unless its Chinese proprietor ByteDance sells it, and his warnings of new tariffs on Chinese products, Xi said, “China is pleased to observe a self-assured, open, rich, and bursting United States. We hope the US too perceives China’s progress in an affirming manner.” He regards this understanding of each other’s growth as a foundational aspect that needs rectification to truly stabilise, better, and advance the Sino-US relationship.
The US and EU have echoed concerns about Chinese manufacturers producing an excess of solar panels, electric vehicles, and batteries, thereby overwhelming the global marketplace. Blinken pointed to the detrimental effects on American businesses and jobs, insisting that under President Biden’s administration, necessary measures will be taken to promote equal competition for American workers.
Previously, the Chinese foreign secretary, Wang Yi, expressed concern regarding the risk of deteriorating relations between the US and China, unless the US respects the fundamental interests of Beijing. Wang Yi articulated that the rightful growth prospects of his country are being unjustly curbed, and that their principal interests are being challenged. He went on to state that China’s apprehensions have always been persistent and that the country has continuously pleaded for each other’s main interests to be respected. He also warned America from hindering China’s progress, from meddling in its domestic matters, and from compromising China’s territorial, security, and developmental boundaries.