2024-04-26 14:58:47
China must stop supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine if it wants to enjoy good relations with the West, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said today, warning Beijing in unusually sharp terms that it cannot do both. .
During his visit to Berlin, the head of the Western military alliance said Beijing’s help is vital to Moscow’s military efforts as it supports Russia’s military economy by sharing high-tech products such as semiconductors.
“Last year, Russia imported from China 90 percent of the microelectronics that are used to make missiles, tanks and aircraft. China is also working to provide Russia with improved satellite capabilities and imagery,” Stoltenberg said.
“China says it wants good relations with the West. But at the same time, Beijing continues to fuel Europe’s biggest armed conflict since World War II. It cannot have both,” he warned.
Stoltenberg warned Western allies not to become dependent on China, as they were on Russia, BTA reported.
“In the past we made the mistake of becoming dependent on Russian oil and gas,” he said. “We must not repeat this mistake with China. Dependence on its money, raw materials, technology – dependence makes us vulnerable.”
China has strengthened trade and military ties with Russia in recent years as the US and its allies have imposed sanctions on both countries, but most notably on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
In 2023, Sino-Russian trade reached a record $240.1 billion, up 26.3 percent from the previous year, according to Chinese customs data. China’s supplies to Russia jumped 46.9% in 2023, while imports from Russia rose 13%.