Washington, April 7: As Russia continues its aggression, the US has threatened China with sanctions if it supports Russia's war in Ukraine.
On Wednesday, the US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman at a hearing on "Restoring American Leadership in the Indo-Pacific", told the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee that sanctions imposed on Russia over its war in Ukraine should give China a "good understanding" of the consequences it could face if it provides material support to Moscow. The US representative further added that Beijing eyeing Taiwan should "take away the right lessons" from the sanctions imposed on Russia.
Introducing the proceedings, Congressman Gregory Meeks, the Chairman also lambasted China for using military aggression in the Indo-Pacific region and for failing to condemn Russia's offensive in Ukraine.
He said that "Russia's pre-meditated and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine demonstrates its disdain for the rules-based international order, and China has woefully abdicated its self-proclaimed role as a responsible stakeholder by failing to condemn Russia's illegal war and in the Indo-pacific, China routinely coarse our friends and allies, uses military aggression to gain upper hand in broader maritime and territorial disputes."
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"It steals technology and bends the rules to protect its domestic industries. It commits human rights abuses on a grand scale through genocide in Xinjiang, destruction of Hong Kong's autonomy or its surveillance and repression of citizens throughout the mainland," he added.
He further urged US partners and allies to counter Peoples' Republic of China (PRC) aggression and preserve a free, open Indo-Pacific.
Deputy Secretary of State Sherman also stated that the United States is concerned about Russia and the People's Republic of China's developing strategic alignment, as expressed in their February 4 statement.
Before the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a joint statement expressing Russia's support for China's position that democratically-governed Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and opposition to any form of independence for the island.
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-PTC News