Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged Washington to cease its “smearing” of China, particularly regarding Beijing’s stance on the Ukraine conflict. Wang made these remarks during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, where the two discussed bilateral tensions and global issues. The ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kiev featured prominently in their talks, with Blinken accusing China of indirectly supporting Russia’s military efforts.
Blinken alleged that while China claims to advocate for peace, it is allowing its companies to assist Russia’s “war machine,” enabling President Vladimir Putin to continue his aggression. “That doesn’t add up,” Blinken remarked, suggesting a contradiction in Beijing’s position.
In response, Wang dismissed these claims, as quoted by China’s Foreign Ministry, saying the United States should “stop smearing and framing China, imposing sanctions indiscriminately, and using this as a pretext to stoke confrontation between camps.” He emphasized that China maintains an “open and transparent” stance on the Ukraine conflict, consistently promoting peace and dialogue while working toward a political resolution.
Wang further condemned what he described as the US’s “suppression” of China’s economy, trade, and technology, asserting that national security should not be politicized. He warned against turning economic competition into isolation, saying, “The ‘small courtyard with high walls’ cannot become the ‘big courtyard with an iron curtain.’”
The US recently imposed sanctions on nearly 400 companies and individuals, including entities from China, UAE, and Türkiye, accusing them of supporting Russia in the Ukraine conflict. The State Department expressed concern about the scale of dual-use goods exports from China to Russia, which allegedly help Moscow bridge crucial gaps in its defense production.
Since the beginning of the Ukraine war, China has refused to join Western sanctions against Russia, and trade between the two nations has grown steadily. China has positioned itself as a neutral party, consistently advocating for peace talks. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in turn, dismissed concerns that Russia is becoming overly reliant on China, insisting that the EU’s economy is far more vulnerable in comparison.