G7 warns China about the consequences of supporting Russia in the war against Ukraine
G7 leaders issued a sharp warning about China’s support for Russia in the war against Ukraine, stressing that such assistance only “contributes” to the continuation of the conflict. Western observers see this as increased pressure on Beijing and a demonstration of readiness for further sanctions against those who materially support Moscow’s war machine.
About this informs Voice of America.
The stark warning, issued at the end of the annual G7 summit in Italy, came as the United States stepped up diplomatic efforts to persuade Europe to take a tougher line on China over its role in aiding Russia’s military-industrial complex.
“China’s continued support of Russia’s defense and industrial base allows Russia to continue its illegal war in Ukraine and has significant and far-reaching security implications“, the G7 leaders said in a communique on Friday.
U.S. officials accuse China of helping Russia expand military production, including by exporting semiconductors, materials and machine tools that they say allow Moscow to ramp up production of tanks, ammunition and armored vehicles.
Beijing has denied the allegations, saying it has not supplied weapons to either side and maintains tight controls on exports of dual-use goods.
At the meeting of the UN Security Council regarding the supply of weapons to Ukraine, the Chinese ambassador repeated this argument, accusing the US of using the war as “an excuse to discredit China” and suppress its companies.
A day before the summit, the EU announced additional tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) imported from China, following a months-long investigation into what it sees as Beijing’s unfair support for companies undermining European carmakers.
Last month, the US also imposed new tariffs on $18 billion worth of Chinese imports in several sectors deemed strategic to national security, including electric vehicles and clean energy products.
“We continue to oppose China’s dangerous use of its coast guard and maritime police in the South China Sea and its repeated interference with countries’ freedom of navigation on the high seas“, says the joint statement.
In a statement on Monday, China’s Foreign Ministry criticized the G7’s position, saying it was “manipulating the issue”.
“At this time, the G7 has long since deviated from its original intention to coordinate and stabilize the international economic environment and is increasingly becoming a political tool to support the hegemony of the United States and the West“, spokesman Lin Jian said at the briefing.
