WASHINGTON (Realist English). China will eventually have to make a choice in the current conflict over the Ukraine, which affects Beijing’s reputation in the world, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is convinced, speaking at a video conference organized by the University of Michigan.
He reminded that prior to the start of Russia’s special operation in the Ukraine, Moscow and Beijing adopted a joint statement. It stressed that “friendship between the two States has no limits, there are no “forbidden” areas of cooperation, strengthening of bilateral strategic cooperation is neither aimed against third countries nor affected by the changing international environment and circumstantial changes in third countries.”
“Well, I think to some extent those limits, in fact, are actually being tested right now because China is in a challenging position.” the Head of American diplomacy believes.
In this regard, Blinkin reminded that China had repeatedly stated that its policy was based on compliance with the UN Charter and on the principles that underlie it. According to him, these principles are now being challenged because of the crisis in the Ukraine:
“And so we look to China to stand up to defend the principles that it purports to espouse, and it has not exactly done that. I think it’s in an – increasingly in an uncomfortable position precisely because there’s a huge disconnect between what it purports to stand for and what it’s actually doing.”
China’s foreign ministry has rejected Washington’s call to use the special relationship with Russia to put an end to Russia’s special operation in the Ukraine.
On April 14, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Ziyang said at a press conference that the Chinese side opposes all unfounded accusations against the PRC and resists all forms of pressure.
