Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken engaged in discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during a meeting held on the sidelines of an annual international conference in Vientiane, Laos. The meeting also included the presence of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov, where tensions regarding China’s support of Russia’s military industrial sector were addressed.
Key Points Discussed:
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- Mr. Blinken raised concerns about China’s alleged support of Russia’s military industrial sector, emphasizing the impact on the conflict in Ukraine.
- China denied sending weapons to Russia but acknowledged the export of certain goods that have aided Russia’s military efforts.
- President Biden and U.S. officials have accused China of assisting Russia in rebuilding its defense sector through exports of crucial components.
- Mr. Blinken conveyed that defending Ukraine against Russian aggression is a top priority for the United States.
- The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on numerous Chinese entities due to their role in supporting Russia’s military capabilities.
Outcome of the Meeting:
Despite the discussions, China has not taken significant steps to limit the exports that have been aiding Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. Mr. Blinken presented specific examples of these exports during the meeting.
