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China’s support for Russia ‘very troubling’, says US ambassador as anniversary of Ukraine war looms
- Nicholas Burns told an event in Beijing that ‘China’s silence on the existential issue of Ukrainian sovereignty and independence is deafening’
- West is pressuring China to do more to end conflict, with British ambassador Caroline Wilson saying it ‘needs to hear Ukraine’s voice’
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The American ambassador to China has described the country’s support for Russia as “very troubling” as Western countries step up their efforts to pressure China to do more to end the war in Ukraine.
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Nicholas Burns said the United States was disappointed that China continued to provide political and diplomatic support to Russia as the two-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine neared.
“We are very concerned by the actions of Chinese companies that fuel Russia’s defence industrial complex,” he said, adding that Washington has aired these concerns with Beijing.
“China’s silence on the existential issue of Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence is deafening. Its support to Russia is very troubling indeed.”
China and Russia announced a “no-limits” partnership just days before Russia invaded in February 2022.
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Since then China has not condemned Russia’s actions and has moved closer to Moscow while insisting it is neutral in the war.
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