China Must Ultimately Make a Choice, Says Blinken

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is confident that China must ultimately make a choice regarding the current conflict over Ukraine, as it "affects its reputation in the world." Speaking at a virtual conference hosted by the University of Michigan, Blinken recalled that prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Moscow and Beijing issued a joint statement emphasizing that their friendship "knows no boundaries."

"I think there is, in a sense, a test now of what those boundaries are, as China finds itself in a difficult position," the head of U.S. diplomacy said. Blinken reminded that China has repeatedly asserted that its policy is based on the preservation of the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.

However, according to the U.S. Secretary of State, "these principles are now being challenged" due to Russia's armed invasion of Ukraine. "We expect China to uphold the principles it claims to follow. But it is not doing that. I think it is increasingly in an uncomfortable position, because there is a massive gap between what China says and what it actually does," Blinken stated.

"I think this affects its reputation in the world, in many parts of the world. The issue here is not about being on the side of the U.S., but on the side that is right against wrong: supporting the fundamental principles of the international order or supporting chaos and conflict. And ultimately, China will have to make a choice," Blinken concluded.