The US Secretary of State held a meeting with the President of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a visit to China, met with the country’s leader Xi Jinping and a number of senior officials on Friday, emphasizing the importance of a “responsible approach” to resolving bilateral differences, reports Associated Press.

The agency notes that contacts between the United States and China have increased in recent months, but disagreements have intensified. According to Blinken, in a conversation with Xi, he expressed concern about China’s support for Russia, which is waging a war against Ukraine. In particular, Blinken pointed to Beijing’s supply of materials to Moscow, including machine tools and microelectronics, which Russian authorities can use to strengthen their military capabilities.

“It will be difficult for Russia to continue its offensive in Ukraine without the support of China,” Blinken stressed in a conversation with reporters after meeting with Xi.

At the talks in Beijing, the US foreign policy chief also mentioned the problem of Taiwan, China’s military activity in the South China Sea and the human rights situation. At the same time, Antony Blinken gave a positive assessment of some points of bilateral cooperation, including military communications, efforts to combat drugs, as well as in the field of artificial intelligence, AP reports.

• Before Blinken’s visit, the Financial Times, citing sources, wrote that the secretary of state, during a trip to China, would warn Beijing of tough sanctions if China does not refuse to supply military technology to Russia.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday this week that he is planning a visit to China in May.
• Kyiv’s allies have repeatedly stated that China supplies Russia with military technologies that are used by Moscow in the war against Ukraine. Moscow and Beijing deny all accusations against them.