Biden-Xi Conference on Ukrainian Invasion: China’s Action To Stop the Attacks

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping had an online conference for nearly two hours regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The conference happened while the U.S. is strengthening its vigilance against the possibility that China could provide support to Russian military affairs. Biden hinted that if China provides material support to Russia, the U.S. could impose sanctions against China.

In response, Xi again emphasized opposition to the sanctions, insisting that if economic sanctions are strengthened, they “could trigger serious crises in global economy and trade … causing irrevocable losses.”

The rift between the two countries over sanctions was not closed, but they agreed to try to reach a diplomatic solution.

Biden explained how the U.S. and Europe are dealing with the current situation cooperatively, while Xi promised to play a role in “work[ing] for world peace and tranquility.”

The question is: What about China’s actions?

Regarding the intensifying situation in Ukraine, Xi stated that “The Ukraine crisis is not something we want to see.” If China does provide military support, there is concern that the Russian military will strengthen its attacks and that the disaster will spread.

The U.S. and Europe provide military support to Ukraine in order to combat an unjustified invasion. Any weapons that pass from China to Russia will be aiding the aggressors.

The U.S. and European sanctions on Russia will invite steep price increases for energy and other commodities, which will also affect China.

Could it be that criticism of the sanctions is the result of being wary of how they would reduce China’s own profit, even more than the issue of emphasizing cooperation with Russia?

Enhancing support for refugees, who number over 3 million people, is an urgent task. China should be recognized for its course of strengthening humanitarian aid.

However, as combat continues with no end in sight, human suffering spreads and the impact of economic sanctions increases. Russia’s appeals to China for aid will likely intensify.

The important thing is to stop Russian attacks, which are an invitation to disaster, as soon as possible. More than anything, Xi must make this appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But we do not see such action. We hope to ascertain the course of the confrontation between Russia, which is brandishing military power, and the U.S. and Europe, which compete via economic power.

If the countries take a mercenary view for their own profit, without taking the initiative to bring about peace, they will not gain the trust of the international community. The stable world that China wants is far away in the distance.