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US officials said Monday they believe China is increasingly concerned and ashamed of Russia’s war in Ukraine and Vladimir Putin’s rhetoric about nuclear weapons.
They spoke just before Joe Biden’s first meeting as president with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
Beijing’s relationship with Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine will be one of the areas where Biden wants to get a handle on Xi’s thinking.
The officials reviewed discussions at a summit of Southeast Asian leaders in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, attended by the Chinese prime minister, Beijing’s second most powerful figure.
Prime Minister Li Keqiang spoke quite extensively about China’s policy towards Ukraine, clearly insisting on sovereignty, responsibility for nuclear threats and the need to ensure that nuclear weapons are not used in the way some have suggested. officer at a briefing interview with reporters.
Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang (left), the second most powerful figure in Beijing, attended the ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A US official said he spoke at length about Ukraine and the importance of sovereignty and restraint over nuclear rhetoric
President Joe Biden meets with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Bali on Monday evening ahead of a G20 summit in the Indonesian island
Putin has repeatedly warned that he could use tactical nuclear weapons to defend his territory.
The official went on to say that the US delegation picked up more details about the Chinese unease during the summit.
“I think the messages in the hallway have been unmistakable and yes, there have been areas where China and Russia have worked together to deepen and broaden their relationship – economic, energy, technology and a number of other areas,” the officials said. .
“But on some of these big issues. I think there is undeniable discomfort in Beijing about what we have seen in terms of reckless rhetoric and activity on the part of Russia.
“I think it’s also undeniable that China is likely to be both surprised and even a little embarrassed by the conduct of Russian military operations.”
The official did not describe the source of the reports, but Li was in Phnom Penh, where he met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanian on Sunday.
Biden was greeted with a traditional Balinese welcome dance when he landed on the island – his third stop of a global foreign policy
US officials will see an opportunity to drive a wedge between China and Russia after months of concerns that Beijing could respond favorably to Moscow’s requests for weapons.
Biden is expected to meet Xi ahead of the Group of 20 Leaders Summit in Bali on Monday night.
The two have known each other since 2011, but this will be their first face-to-face meeting since Biden took office last year.
Officials and Biden themselves have struggled to downplay expectations and frame the meeting as an opportunity to understand each other’s red lines.
It comes after months of tensions over Taiwan and allegations that China is stealing US technology. The latest flash point came last month, when the Biden administration banned the sale of advanced microchips to China.
Now officials say Biden wants to know where Xi stands regarding China’s growing relationship with Russia, its plans on the island of Taiwan, and whether it is willing to do anything to curb North Korea’s aggression.
A second official on the call said Biden wanted to ensure competition between the two countries did not get out of hand.
Children wave Ukrainian flags in the main square in the newly recaptured city of Kherson
Local residents watch two alleged collaborators tied by hands to pillars in Kherson after the city was abandoned by retreating Russian troops. Russia is accused of war crimes
US officials said they thought Chinese officials were uncomfortable and embarrassed by Russia’s activities in Ukraine
“He wants to make sure that that competition is limited, that we develop crash barriers, that we have clear traffic rules and that we do all that to ensure that competition does not deviate from the conflict,” the official said.
Xi arrives at the summit with his position confirmed by a recent party congress. He will serve a second 10-year term and saw some of his potential rivals sidelined.
It means US officials will have a chance to see its most trusted allies up close.
“Tonight at the meeting, we think President Xi will read with him some new faces who will play a more prominent role in formulating and implementing China’s policy in the coming period,” the official said.
Biden also solidified his position on Sunday, when Democrats won their 50th Senate seat, giving them control of the Senate for two more years.
The fate of the House remains on the line, though Republicans appear to be on track to win it by the smallest majorities.
“I know I will come out stronger,” Biden told reporters traveling with him in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, “but I didn’t need that.
“I know Xi Jinping, I’ve spent more time with him than any other world leader.
‘I know him well. He knows me.
“We have very few misunderstandings and we just need to figure out where the red lines are.”