😮 China's got something to say! On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian firmly opposed the U.S. spreading what China calls \"ungrounded false information\" about its alleged support for Russia's defense industry.
The comments came after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused China of fueling Russia’s defense sector during the 2024 NATO Public Forum. Lin didn't hold back, expressing \"strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition\" to the U.S.'s \"erroneous remarks\" at a regular press briefing in Beijing.
Lin highlighted that the U.S. has been claiming China provides military support to Russia since the Ukraine crisis began but hasn't offered any solid proof. He even pointed out that the head of the U.S. military admitted China hasn't given Russia such assistance.
📊 Citing a study from the KSE Institute—a think tank linked to the Kyiv School of Economics—Lin noted that over 95% of parts found in Russian weapons on Ukraine's battlefields come from producers in Ukraine's Western allies. Get this: 72% are from U.S.-based companies!
Lin also mentioned that while the U.S. and its allies haven't stopped trading with Russia, most countries worldwide haven't joined sanctions or cut trade ties with Russia either. \"The U.S. can't dump the pot on China,\" he said, which is basically saying they shouldn't blame China for this.
He stressed that China didn't start the Ukraine crisis and isn't a party to it. \"We never fuel the flames or exploit the situation for selfish gains, nor will we provide weapons to any party to the conflict,\" Lin stated.
Lin added that Chinese businesses are just doing their thing—engaging in normal economic and trade cooperation globally, including with Russia and Ukraine, following WTO rules and market principles. \"It's not up to certain individual countries to point fingers,\" he remarked.
He wrapped up by saying the U.S. shouldn't make China pay for its own mistakes. \"China will never accept the U.S.' shirking responsibility, bullying, and coercion,\" Lin affirmed.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
