“China – Communist Slave State”

The scope and strength of western sanctions seem to have surprised Beijing

Joe Biden appears to be trying to force China’s hand over Ukraine. This follows days during which Beijing has tied itself in knots, offering to play a “positive role” for peace, but refusing to criticize Russia — avoiding even calling the invasion an invasion, and echoing Moscow’s justifications.

US officials at the weekend briefed American news outlets that Russia has asked China to provide military equipment, and requested additional economic assistance to help cushion the impact of Western sanctions. The officials, keen to protect their intelligence sources, declined to say precisely what Russia was seeking, nor what China’s response had been. But they said they were watching closely and warned of “consequences” should Beijing come to Russia’s aid.

Chinese authorities reportedly requested in early February that Russia wait to launch its invasion of Ukraine until after the Beijing Olympics, according to a Western intelligence report described to the New York Times by senior Biden administration officials and a European official.

Western intelligence officials familiar with the report told the Times that it details conversations between senior Russians and Chinese officials in the run up to Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. CNN subsequently confirmed the report’s authenticity, though different intelligence agencies reportedly had different interpretations of the exchanges between the Kremlin and Beijing.

China is the only major economy that still has a direct line to a fast-isolated Russia — but the pressure is increasing on Beijing to change that.

Just weeks after the two countries signed a “no limits” partnership agreement, China now has no choice but to recalibrate its position on bilateral trade and macroeconomics with Moscow, after President Vladimir Putin launched an unprovoked war on Ukraine.

While Beijing still wants to count on Moscow as a long-term strategic partner to fend off America’s global influence, it will no doubt be wary of the international reaction if it opts for measures that could be interpreted as an endorsement of Putin’s aggression, according to experts.