President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, spoke this Friday for almost two hours in which they touched on the war started by Russia in Ukraine and the role of the Asian giant in the conflict, as well as the sanctions that the West has imposed on Moscow.
According to the White House, through its press secretary, Jen Psaki, it has been an opportunity for Biden to evaluate the position of President Xi in this conflict, and added that there has been a lack of denunciation by China of what Russia is doing.
Meanwhile, a senior administration official in a communication with journalists affirmed this Friday by the afternoon that the US president was “direct”, “substantial” and “detailed”, reported CNN.
The Biden government has made clear to Beijing its concerns about a possible alignment with Russia and an eventual supply of weapons to the forces russian military.
From the Chinese side, although its government condemned the crisis in Ukraine, it avoided classifying it as “war” or “invasion”, although he stated the readiness to send humanitarian aid to the Ukrainians; Likewise, they made a request to the United States and NATO to dialogue with Russia to “resolve the crux of the Ukraine crisis.”
“We must not only carry out the development of relations between China and the United States on the right path, but also assume our international responsibilities and strive for world peace and tranquility,” said China Central Television (CCTV).
Experts say that China’s position in which it seeks to provide an image of neutrality seems more untenable with each passing day due to the increase in pressure on Beijing so that it can use its influence over Putin, as well as its economic alliances with Russia to force an end to the war, but they hope that Biden can pressure Xi to persuade the Russian leader to lay down his arms, The Washington Post noted.
“This war is a massive disruption at a terrible time for China, said David Shullman, senior director or of the Global China Hub of the Atlantic Council. “Beijing doesn’t know how this will end. They don’t see an opportunity at the moment, they are in a bind and trying to find a way to overcome it”.
China’s dilemma
Since the beginning of the invasion more than three weeks ago, China has done its best to find a balance between maintaining its strategic alliance with Russia and salvaging its relationship with western countries; however, critics have branded Beijing an accomplice for the silence and ambiguity with which they have acted, amid global condemnation of the war, The Post highlighted.
The possibility that China coming into conflict with the United States and the West would bring consequences to Beijing. The Chinese stock market has plunged to a 21 month low this week and gasoline prices have soared.