U.S. Concerned About China’s Lethal Support to Russia

According to foreign media reports on February 18, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday that Communist China had “no apology” for flying spy balloons over the United States. “I can tell you, no, there was no apology,” said Blinken and he didn’t describe the content of the meeting with Chinese counterpart. According to the department of state, Blinken spoke to the unacceptable violation of U.S. sovereignty and international law by the PRC high-altitude surveillance balloon in U.S. territorial airspace, underscoring that this irresponsible act must never again occur. In addition, Blinken said the United States’ “deep concern” that China is considering providing Russia with potentially “lethal assistance” to help it launch a new offensive against Ukraine. “Everything from ammunition to the weapons themselves,” he added. He also noted that in Communist China, there is virtually no distinction between private and state-owned companies. The United States is concerned that Chinese companies may be supplying equipment to Russian-backed mercenary groups operating in Ukraine, including the Wagner Group. Characterizing the U.S. relationship with Communist China as “competitive” and “among the most consequential but also complex relationships that we have,” Blinken said the U.S. is very interested in trying to manage it responsibly and doing what it can to make sure competition doesn’t turn into conflict or cold war.