News that caught our eye / The week ending February 24th
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NOTE: The news reports below are not in chronological order. There is often a time lag in their reaching the US and in gaining our attention. These reports reflect the opinions of a variety of news sources.
Ukraine war: Blinken says China might give weapons to Russia / February 20, 2023
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that he has information that China might supply weapons to Russia, although he would not provide any concrete evidence to support that claim. China denied Blinken’s statements and accused the US of pointing fingers. Blinken met with his Chinese counterpart on Saturday in Germany (BBC News).
China furious after US warns against arming Russia / February 20, 2023
Responding to Secretary of State Blinken’s charge that China might provide weapons to Russia’s war in Ukraine, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs angrily denied the charge and pointed out the US's role in sending lethal aid to Ukraine. China claims to support peace, not conflict (Fox News).
As Biden visits Ukraine, China’s top diplomat goes to Russia / February 21, 2023
Wang Yi, China’s recently appointed chief foreign policy advisor, told European officials that China is not the one pushing the conflict in Ukraine to continue, nor is it doing so to benefit war profiteers. Rather, he said China will unveil a proposition for peace, making China look like the peacemaker (CNN).
China says it’s seeking role in Ukraine peace settlement / February 21, 2023
China’s Foreign Minister expressed strong political support for Russia while stating that China wants to negotiate for peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Seemingly taking the high-road, he condemned countries supporting the conflict and could make it spiral out of control (AP News).
A year after Ukraine invasion, Russia's reliance on China deepens / February 21, 2023
China’s alliance with Russia is getting complicated. China can’t condemn the Ukraine invasion, even if Russia commits atrocities there. EU leaders are suspicious of China’s upcoming peace plan. If China sends lethal aid to Russia, it becomes guilty of its own charges against the West (Axios).
China's Xi preparing to visit Moscow for summit with Putin / February 21, 2023
President Xi will visit Moscow sometime in late Spring this year, although no date has been set yet. The visit will likely focus on negotiating a peace plan for the Ukraine conflict and an advisement to avoid any nuclear assault, according to the release report (Reuters).
Ukraine war: China's claim to neutrality fades with Moscow visit / February 22, 2023
Wang Yi’s seat across the narrow end of the table from President Putin suggests China’s neutrality regarding Russia’s affairs may be crumbling. China already purchases Russia’s “sanctioned” petroleum, and China’s imports into Russia make up for what US sanctions have blocked. A mutual resentment of the West overlooks Russia’s Ukraine atrocities (BBC News).
Xi the Survivor: How Washington Overestimates Chinese Weakness /February 22, 2023
Christopher Johnson, President of China Strategies Group, writes that the Biden administration has repeatedly miscalculated its assessment of Xi Jinping. For example, civil protest did not force the end of the zero-Covid policies; rather, Xi had considered ending the program months earlier. The protests just made for an “easy out” (Foreign Affairs).
Aiming to boost sluggish post-COVID economy, Xi eyes consumers, investment / February 19, 2023
President Xi’s attempts to kickstart the Chinese economy have failed to launch. Now he wants to focus on “consumer behavior,” suggesting loosening credit for low and middle-income citizens. But, poor provincial financial management, a sluggish economy, government overreach scaring off foreign investors, and Xi’s growing threat to invade Taiwan challenge any economic rebound (Radio Free Asia).
Russia, China and South Africa start military drills amid Ukraine war / February 22, 2023
Although planned, evidently, years ago, the military exercises held this week off South Africa’s coast involving South Africa, China and Russia, set a globally cautious tone. China’s military exercises with Russia might lead to further cooperation elsewhere; South Africa’s involvement questions its previous neutrality, and China flexes its muscle in Africa again (CBS News).
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