Politics Blinken criticizes China for aid to Russia's armaments

At a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized China for its support of the Russian arms industry. He made it clear that the USA would continue to take "appropriate measures" if China did nothing to counter this threat to European security, according to a spokesperson for the US State Department. Blinken also expressed his concern about Beijing's "destabilizing actions" in the South China Sea.

China's foreign minister, in turn, accused the United States of having "not ceased but even intensified its efforts to contain and suppress China". The risks in bilateral relations would continue to increase, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry. They are at a "critical point". Wang also insinuated that the USA had a false understanding of China.

The two top diplomats met on the sidelines of the foreign ministers' meeting of the Asean states in the Laotian capital Vientiane for their talks, which lasted just under an hour and a half. Despite their differences, both foreign ministers recognized that it was important to keep the common channels of communication open.

Relations between the USA and China have been extremely tense for some time. The US accuses China of human rights violations, unfair trade practices and unlawful territorial claims in the South China Sea, among other things. China, on the other hand, criticizes the United States as a hegemonic power that wants to hinder the development of the People's Republic with far-reaching sanctions and punitive tariffs.