The discussion may well be described as « intense » and “very candid” by a senior White House official, she did not move the lines between Washington and Beijing on the issue of the war in Ukraine.
After a seven-hour meeting in Rome on Monday March 14 between US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Yang Jiechi, the Chinese Communist Party’s top diplomat, the United States still considers “deeply worrying” the position of“China’s alignment with Russia” about Moscow’s military intervention, according to the same source, who requested anonymity.
The White House published a press release evoking a “substantial discussion about Russia’s war against Ukraine”and recalling “the importance of keeping lines of communication open between the United States and China”.
In addition to the Ukrainian crisis, the issues of North Korea, Taiwan and bilateral relations were raised, according to this senior official, who assured that the meeting itself had been in preparation since December.
Beijing’s “levers” over Moscow
However, she did not wish to comment on the information circulating in the American press, according to which Moscow had asked Beijing to provide it with its economic and military aid to carry out the invasion of Ukraine.
Russia, which is preparing for a default, has denied, as has Beijing. “China firmly opposes words and deeds that spread false information, distort and smear China’s position”said Yang Jiechi, quoted by the official Chinese news agency New China.
Jake Sullivan described to Yang Jiechi “the unity of the United States, its allies and its partners to make Russia pay the price for its actions”also specified this senior official.
“We are watching very closely to what extent China or any other country provides assistance to Russia, whether it is material, economic or financial assistance”State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Monday, recalling that Beijing had “very important levers” on Moscow, which could allow him to “put an end to this senseless violence” and Ukraine.
“We made it very clear to Beijing that we would not sit idly by. We will not let any country compensate for the losses suffered by Russia” because of Western sanctions, he continued. But the United States has so far not specified what Chinese actions could draw a US response, or what form that response might take.
Washington has also criticized China for contributing to the spread of “lies” of Russia on alleged American biological and chemical weapons laboratories in Ukraine.
A Russian-Chinese friendship put to the test
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion on February 24, the Chinese communist regime, privileging its relationship with Moscow, and sharing with Russia a deep hostility towards the United States, has refrained from calling the Russian President, Vladimir Putin to withdraw his troops from Ukraine.
But’“boundless friendship” professed by Beijing is being tested by the war in Ukraine. The regime of President Xi Jinping indeed seems to have been surprised by Ukrainian resistance to the Russian offensive and by the vigor of Western sanctions.
According to the New China Agency, Yang Jiechi said that Beijing is committed to promoting negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. China and the United States should strengthen dialogue, properly handle differences and avoid conflicts and confrontations, he added.
China is the world’s largest exporter, the European Union’s largest trading partner and the largest foreign supplier of goods to the United States. Any pressure on Chinese trade could have economic effects on the United States and its allies.
The discussion may well be described as « intense » and “very candid” by a senior White House official, she did not move the lines between Washington and Beijing on the issue of the war in Ukraine.
After a seven-hour meeting in Rome on Monday March 14 between US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Yang Jiechi, the Chinese Communist Party’s top diplomat, the United States still considers “deeply worrying” the position of“China’s alignment with Russia” about Moscow’s military intervention, according to the same source, who requested anonymity.
The White House published a press release evoking a “substantial discussion about Russia’s war against Ukraine”and recalling “the importance of keeping lines of communication open between the United States and China”.
In addition to the Ukrainian crisis, the issues of North Korea, Taiwan and bilateral relations were raised, according to this senior official, who assured that the meeting itself had been in preparation since December.
Beijing’s “levers” over Moscow
However, she did not wish to comment on the information circulating in the American press, according to which Moscow had asked Beijing to provide it with its economic and military aid to carry out the invasion of Ukraine.
Russia, which is preparing for a default, has denied, as has Beijing. “China firmly opposes words and deeds that spread false information, distort and smear China’s position”said Yang Jiechi, quoted by the official Chinese news agency New China.
Jake Sullivan described to Yang Jiechi “the unity of the United States, its allies and its partners to make Russia pay the price for its actions”also specified this senior official.
“We are watching very closely to what extent China or any other country provides assistance to Russia, whether it is material, economic or financial assistance”State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Monday, recalling that Beijing had “very important levers” on Moscow, which could allow him to “put an end to this senseless violence” and Ukraine.
“We made it very clear to Beijing that we would not sit idly by. We will not let any country compensate for the losses suffered by Russia” because of Western sanctions, he continued. But the United States has so far not specified what Chinese actions could draw a US response, or what form that response might take.
Washington has also criticized China for contributing to the spread of “lies” of Russia on alleged American biological and chemical weapons laboratories in Ukraine.
A Russian-Chinese friendship put to the test
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion on February 24, the Chinese communist regime, privileging its relationship with Moscow, and sharing with Russia a deep hostility towards the United States, has refrained from calling the Russian President, Vladimir Putin to withdraw his troops from Ukraine.
But’“boundless friendship” professed by Beijing is being tested by the war in Ukraine. The regime of President Xi Jinping indeed seems to have been surprised by Ukrainian resistance to the Russian offensive and by the vigor of Western sanctions.
According to the New China Agency, Yang Jiechi said that Beijing is committed to promoting negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. China and the United States should strengthen dialogue, properly handle differences and avoid conflicts and confrontations, he added.
China is the world’s largest exporter, the European Union’s largest trading partner and the largest foreign supplier of goods to the United States. Any pressure on Chinese trade could have economic effects on the United States and its allies.