Ukraine war
U.S. raises concerns about China aligning with Russia in intense talks https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Uk...t-China-aligning-with-Russia-in-intense-talks
Sullivan meets with Yang after reports about Moscow's request for war assistance
Members of the Chinese delegation leave the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria hotel where a meeting between U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi is believed to have taken place. © Reuters
MAILYS PENE-LASSUS and YUKIHIRO SAKAGUCHI, Nikkei staff writers March 15, 2022
PARIS/WASHINGTON --
U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan raised concerns Monday about Chinese cooperation with the Russian invasion of Ukraine in a seven-hour meeting with China's top diplomat, Yang Jiechi.
Sullivan met with Yang, a Politburo member, in Rome following reports by multiple media outlets that Russia has asked China for military equipment and for additional economic assistance to counteract the sanctions.
"I'm just going to reiterate that we do have deep concerns about China's alignment with Russia at this time, and the national security adviser was direct about those concerns and the potential implications and consequences of certain actions," a senior administration official told reporters in the U.S. capital.
Sullivan "raised a range of issues in U.S.-China relations, with substantial discussion of Russia's war against Ukraine," the White House said in a readout. "They also underscored the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between the United States and China."
Beijing has avoided publicly calling out Moscow over the invasion, aiming to protect their friendship.
Without clearly denying this, Beijing has bristled at the reports that Russia had requested help. "Recently, the U.S. has been maliciously spreading disinformation targeting China," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Monday.
"China's position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear," he said. "We have been playing a constructive part in promoting peace talks. The top priority at the moment is for all parties to exercise restraint, cool the situation down instead of adding fuel to the fire, and work for diplomatic settlement rather than further escalate the situation."
But American officials have reportedly told NATO allies and several Asian countries that China had signaled a willingness to provide military and economic aid.
Sullivan and Yang met in October to lay the groundwork for the virtual summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping the following month.