Ajit Karn
Washington: According to the White House, Chinese President Xi Jinping sees President Vladimir Putin and Russia as a “counterweight” to American and NATO influence on the continent and elsewhere in the world.
John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House, issued the statement as Putin gave his Chinese counterpart Xi a red carpet welcome in Moscow and held marathon talks over the course of two days on a variety of issues, including the raging war in Ukraine.
“I believe you’ve noticed that these two countries have grown closer over the years. I would not go so far as to label it an alliance…. I believe it to be a marriage of convenience. “President Xi sees in President Putin and Russia a counterweight to American and NATO influence, certainly on the continent and elsewhere in the world,” Kirby told reporters at a Tuesday news conference.
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“President Putin sees a potential ally in President Xi. This individual does not have many allies on the international stage. They can generally count them on one hand. “He needs and wants President Xi’s support for what he’s attempting to do, as he’s burning through inventory,” he said.
In recent weeks, China appeared to be positioning itself as a peace broker by releasing its position on a “political solution” to the conflict, which called for a cessation and peace negotiations.
Xi’s visit to Moscow occurred days after China brokered an agreement to halt hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Iran and restore diplomatic ties, which was considered a diplomatic triumph. The agreement was viewed as a significant success for China in expanding its global reach and countering American influence in the Middle East.
“I do not believe it is reasonable to consider China impartial in any way. They have not yet decried this invasion. When asked if the United States considers China to have a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict, Kirby replied, “They haven’t stopped buying Russian oil and energy.”
Referring to the joint statement issued after the Putin-Xi meetings, Kirby remarked that the two parties just stated that the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law must be observed with regard to Ukraine.
“Well, we concur. Following the UN Charter would require Russia to withdraw from all Ukrainian territory, the territory of another UN member state that it has invaded, he explained.
He stated, “The UN Charter enshrines the principles of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, including Ukraine.”
The parties also called for an end to all actions that contribute to the escalation of tension and prolongation of hostilities. Well, we concur,” Kirby said.
“One way to end hostilities would be to remove Russian troops from Ukraine. In the absence of this, however, Mr. Putin could stop attacking hospitals and schools and stop launching Iranian drones into civilian infrastructure. Kirby stated that he could stop the forcible deportation of thousands of small children by placing them in filtration centres in other parts of Ukraine and Russia.
A day prior, Kirby stated that Russia is now China’s subordinate partner. He was asked, “Do you currently view Russia as a client state of China?”
“I would say that they are the junior partner in that particular bilateral relationship,” Kirby stated.
In response to another query, Kirby stated that the United States does not believe China has ruled out providing lethal aid to Russia, but they have not taken any steps in that direction. He stated, “We have seen no indication that they are planning to provide lethal weapons.”
In the meantime, China stated on Wednesday that President Xi’s recent state visit to Russia was a “journey of friendship, cooperation, and peace.” Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated that China was neutral in the Ukraine conflict and reiterated that Beijing had “no selfish motives on the Ukraine issue, has not stood idly by… or profited from the situation.”
“What China has done can be summed up in one word: promoting peace talks,” Wang said in response to a query at a daily press briefing.
Wang stated, “President Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia is a journey of friendship, cooperation, and peace, which has elicited favourable reactions from the international community.”
The spokesperson stated that China would “continue to play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the Ukrainian issue,” presumably referring to Beijing’s 12-point peace proposal, which calls for a moratorium and negotiations.
China and Russia conveyed grave concern in a joint statement regarding NATO’s continued strengthening of military-security ties with Asia-Pacific nations, which undermines regional peace and stability.
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It was stated that the two sides oppose the formation of a closed and exclusive bloc structure in the Asia-Pacific region, which would create bloc politics and camp confrontation. This was an apparent reference to the Quad alliance, which consists of the United States, India, Australia, and Japan, and the AUKUS, which consists of the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia.
It was stated that both parties recognise that the United States’ Cold War mentality and Indo-Pacific Strategy have a negative impact on regional peace and stability.
In order to maintain regional peace, stability, and prosperity, China and Russia are committed to constructing an open, inclusive, and equal security system in the Asia-Pacific region that does not target third parties.
