On Tuesday, The White House has said that if China continues to support Russia in Ukraine, they would face “serious consequences”. A move which threatens to draw Australia into an economic sanctions battle with China, as the Australian government vocalises its support for its ally.
Any sanctions imposed on China could lead to an evolution from a conflict in Ukraine, to a global economic fight.
Currently China’s economy is six times the size of Russia’s and is the world’s largest consumer and manufacturer market.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne stated that “countries that directly support Russia in this unlawful invasion would face consequences”.
She went onto the elaborate – “I know that the United States has said that there would be co-ordination with partners and allies on any such response and Australia would be part of that co-ordination,”.
In response China has described claims by the United States that Russia had asked for military equipment as malicious disinformation. These claims have been spread via various media reports in the U.S. as well as through diplomatic briefings in Europe and Asia.
Beijing’s top foreign affairs official Yang Jiechi has stated that “China is committed to promoting peace talks, and the international community should jointly support the Russia-Ukraine peace talks to achieve substantive results as soon as possible.”
The Biden administration claims however that China’s unwillingness to condemn the actions of Russia in Ukraine suggest they are strategically supporting Moscow.
