The lack of clear condemnation by China of what Russia is doing in Ukraine is in stark contrast to everything Beijing has said, including the basic tenets of the United Nations Charter and respect for the sovereignty of nations, the White House went on to say—US President Joe Possible meeting on Friday between Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said China’s aid to Russia in attacking a foreign country is of significant concern and a response to that will have consequences.
Saki announced on Thursday that Biden will speak with Chinese President Xi on Friday to discuss the ongoing economic competition between the two countries and Russia’s war against Ukraine.
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“This (call) is an opportunity for President Biden to assess where President Xi stands. There is, of course, an absence of rhetorical support, or explicit rhetoric and condemnation – or an absence of condemnation by China of what Russia is doing.
It flies in the face of everything China does, including the basic principles of the United Nations Charter to respect the sovereignty of nations,” she said.
“The fact that China has not condemned what Russia is doing, in and of itself, speaks volumes. It speaks volumes not only in Russia or Ukraine, but around the world. This call has come because We have made clear our deep concerns about China’s alignment with Russia and its potential implications and consequences,” she said.
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The announcement of the much-anticipated call between the two leaders came days after US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met Yang Jiechi, a member of the Chinese Communist Party Politburo and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission, in Rome.
“The president is a great believer in leader-to-leader diplomacy. And he has a lot to discuss, given that the last time the president met with President Xi was literally last November – a few months ago, Said Saki.
“Yesterday’s meeting, How We Got Here, came as a direct follow-up to the meeting our National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, had with his counterpart.
He talked about meeting the two presidents during that meeting or joining them in the near future. So, it is happening tomorrow,” she said.
Responding to a question, he said the US is concerned that China is considering direct assistance to Russia by providing more military equipment for use in Ukraine.
“It is a matter of high concern, an important concern, given that our Foreign Minister has just pointed out. And of course, our concerns about China, by any means, consider Russia a foreign country. Assisting in attack is a matter of significant concern and the reaction to that will have consequences,” she said.
China has refused to condemn the Russian attack in Ukraine.
Speaking at a news conference on the sidelines of the annual meeting of China’s formal parliament earlier this month, Foreign Minister Wang described Russia as Beijing’s “most important strategic partner”.
“No matter how dangerous the international scenario, we will maintain our strategic focus and promote the development of comprehensive China-Russia partnership in the new era,” Wang told reporters.
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“The friendship between the two people is strong,” he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24 announced a military operation against Ukraine and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with Russian action would have unprecedented consequences.
The war of more than three weeks has triggered a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine that has intensified in recent days. The United Nations estimates that more than 2 million Ukrainians have fled their country, and that number is expected to increase.
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