China must stop supporting Russia in the Ukraine war if it wants to maintain good relations with the West. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this on Thursday (April 25). Criticizing China harshly, he said that China cannot enjoy the benefits of both sides at the same time. British news agency Reuters reported this news.
During a visit to Berlin, the NATO Secretary General said that China contributed greatly to Russia’s wartime economy by supplying high-end technology such as semiconductors.
In this regard, Stoltenberg said, ‘Russia bought 90 percent of micro-electronics components from China last year. The country has made missiles, tanks and airplanes using them. Besides, China is also working on providing satellite capabilities and imagery to Russia.
He warned that China said it wanted good relations with the West. At the same time, the country was adding oil to the fire of Europe’s biggest armed conflict since World War II. They cannot walk in two boats.’
Stoltenberg has warned Western allies to reduce their reliance on China, such as Russia. He said, ‘In the past we have made the mistake of being dependent on Russian gas and oil. We should not make the same mistake with China. Dependence on the country’s money, raw materials, technology… makes us weak.’
In recent years, sanctions have been imposed by the US and its allies China and Russia. Countries have repeatedly imposed sanctions on Russia, especially because of the war in Ukraine. Then Russia and China strengthened their trade and military relations.
According to Chinese customs data, China and Russia will trade a record $24 billion in 2023. This number is more than 26.3 percent compared to a year ago. Chinese exports to Russia jumped to 46.9 percent in 2023. Meanwhile, imports from Russia in the country increased by 13 percent.
Last month, Reuters reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China in May to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. If so, this will be his first foreign visit in his new term as the President of Russia.
#China #maintain #good #relations #West
