In a video call, US President Biden warned China’s President Xi against supporting Russia in the war against Ukraine. Otherwise there would be consequences. Xi, in turn, advocated talks between NATO and Russia.
US President Joe Biden has personally warned China’s head of state and party leader Xi Jinping in a video link against Russia supporting the war against Ukraine. Biden explained to Xi the consequences “if China provides material support to Russia in its brutal attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilians,” the White House said.
A senior White House official described the nearly two-hour conversation as “direct” and “detailed.” Biden has made clear “the implications and consequences” for China “if China should provide significant support to Russia while it is pursuing the brutal war in Ukraine,” the US administration official said. This would have consequences for the relationship with the USA, but also with the rest of the world.
Communication channels remain open
Biden told Xi how united large parts of the international community were in condemning Russia and imposing sanctions. The official also said Biden had expressed concern at China’s further dissemination of Russian misinformation, including about alleged biological weapons in Ukraine.
It will now be seen what decisions China will make in the coming days and weeks, the US said after the talks. It was agreed to keep the communication channels open in order to be able to discuss differences between the two countries.
Attempted clarification of positions
The talk had been scheduled since a virtual summit between Biden and Xi in November. The Russian invasion of Ukraine was the focus of the almost two-hour phone call, it said. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki previously said Biden would question Xi about China’s “rhetorical support” of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the “lack of condemnation” of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.
The Chinese government had previously tried to distance itself from the Russian war, but has so far avoided criticizing Russia. At the same time, the Chinese government provoked by repeating unverified claims by Russia that Ukraine is operating chemical and biological weapons laboratories with US support.
China: Together “for peace and tranquility in the world”
After the talks, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that “conflict and confrontation” are in nobody’s interest. “We don’t want to see anything like the Ukraine crisis,” Xi was quoted as saying in Chinese state media. Accordingly, in the phone call, Xi appealed to Biden to work together with the People’s Republic for peace in the world.
As permanent members of the UN Security Council and major world economies, both states should “take on international responsibilities and make efforts for peace and tranquility in the world.” “Interstate relations must not reach the stage of military hostilities,” Xi said. “Peace and security are the greatest treasures of the international community.”
According to Chinese media, Xi called for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. The top priority must be to continue talks and avoid a humanitarian catastrophe, he said. According to media reports, the Chinese President advocated that NATO should start talks with Russia to resolve the conflicts behind the war. He was also willing to provide humanitarian aid.
Beijing is “solid as a rock” to Moscow
Long-strained US-China relations have continued to sour since the start of Biden’s presidency. Biden has repeatedly criticized China for military provocations against Taiwan, human rights abuses by ethnic minorities and efforts to repress pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong. With the Russian invasion, the relationship hit a new low.
China has so far refused to condemn Putin’s actions or call the invasion a war. Instead, Beijing last week called the partnership between the two countries “rock-solid.”
If necessary, punitive measures against China
Most recently, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said China would take responsibility for any actions that support Russian aggression. The US would not hesitate to impose costs on China if necessary. China has a responsibility to exert its influence on Putin and to demand compliance with international rules.
The US government has repeatedly warned China and companies in the People’s Republic not to support Russia in circumventing western sanctions. In such a case, the punitive measures could also be extended to Chinese companies, it said. The EU and the USA are significantly more important trading partners for China than Russia.
