U.S. Alarmed by China's Support of Putin's War in Ukraine

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday criticized China for continuing its close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin while his war in Ukraine rages on, saying the two countries' diplomatic ties "should raise alarm bells for all of us who call the Indo-Pacific region home." Blinken made the comments during a speech hosted by the Asia Society Policy Institute at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He outlined President Joe Biden's policy with China during the speech while also touching on issues related to the war in Ukraine.

America's top diplomat said Russia's invasion has backfired, adding that "Putin has failed to achieve a single one of his strategic games. Instead of erasing Ukraine's independence, he strengthened it. Instead of dividing NATO, he's united it. Instead of asserting Russia's strength, he's undermined it. And instead of weakening the international order, he has brought countries together to defend it."

Blinken then addressed Beijing's naval exercises in the South China Sea and its aggression toward Taiwan, saying Chinese President Xi Jinping was "advancing unlawful maritime claims." He then linked China's actions with Russia, saying Beijing "purports to champion sovereignty and territorial integrity while standing with governments that brazenly violate them."

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