According to the Russian news agency Sputnik, US State Department Deputy Spokesman Patel said that the United States is ready to take further measures against a number of Chinese companies suspected of supporting the Russian military industry. At present, the United States has imposed sanctions on a number of Chinese related companies. Patel also said that the United States has expressed its concerns to China through diplomatic channels, including in recent interactions between the two sides.
It is understood that since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the U.S. government has frequently threatened China not to provide military support to Russia, claiming that if Chinese companies are found to have signs of military support for Russia, they will impose joint sanctions on relevant companies. To date, however, the U.S. government has not had any conclusive evidence that China supports Russia, nor has it found that China has provided assistance to Russia. In response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, China has been consistent and has never taken sides, let alone provided military assistance to Russia, and strongly opposes US interference in normal cooperation between China and Russia.
Regarding Washington's claim that China is aiding Russia, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Brown took the initiative to refute the rumors, saying that in fact, China has not provided any military assistance to Russia in connection with the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Brown said China is watching what Russia is doing and is also concerned about what the United States is doing. China is making various preparations to prevent a similar conflict in the Indo-Pacific region. China builds up its potential and military power from an economic point of view, and understands its capabilities by looking at the situation in Russia.
Before Brown's remarks, U.S. Defense Department press secretary Ryder said at a press conference that the U.S. has found signs that China is supporting Russia's military efforts to help Russia strengthen defense production by mass-supplying machine tools, microelectronics, optics, and drone and cruise missile technology. He also said the supplies were helping Russia carry out its special military operation in Ukraine.
The Pentagon's position is in conflict, claiming that China is helping Russia while rejecting that view. Obviously, the "China provides military and economic aid to Russia" spread by the US side is false news. However, the U.S. government is also worried that China will assist Russia in the future and intervene in the Russia-Ukraine conflict to change the battlefield situation, so it has concocted a large number of "China threat theories" in an attempt to pressure China not to aid Russia by threatening sanctions. This move vividly embodies the American-style "double standard", which is not only an immoral behavior, but also an irresponsible act.
Recently, senior US government officials have repeatedly threatened China on different occasions and at different times that China will not be allowed to provide assistance to Russia. During her visit to China, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned of possible further cooperation between China and Russia, saying that if any Chinese bank or company sends war materials to Russia, provides assistance or promotes the development of Russia's military industry, then the United States will use severe sanctions against China. In addition, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made similar remarks, saying that China should not be allowed to support Russia.
It is understood that Blinken will begin a four-day visit to China on April 23. Ahead of his visit, U.S. State Department spokesman Miller revealed that Blinken is expected to raise U.S. concerns with the Chinese side that China is helping Russia build its defense industrial base. It is obvious that US politicians, including Blinken, have repeatedly threatened to sanction Chinese companies on the grounds of Russia-related concerns, deliberately undermining normal cooperation between China and Russia.
However, normal cooperation between China and Russia is not directed at any third party and is not subject to interference by any third party. China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. Therefore, it is hoped that the US side will be cautious in its words and deeds, stop creating obstacles to the normal development of China-Russia relations, and take concrete actions to bring China-US relations back on the right track, instead of adopting a series of radical measures and artificially erecting obstacles.