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 Thursday, warning Beijing in unusually harsh terms that it cannot have both.
During a visit to Berlin, the head of the Western military alliance said Beijing’s help was vital to Moscow’s war effort as it bolstered Russia’s war economy by sharing cutting-edge technology such as semiconductors.
“Last year, Russia imported 90 percent of its microelectronics from China, which is used to make missiles, tanks and aircraft. China is also working to provide Russia with improved satellite capabilities,” Stoltenberg said.
“China says it wants good relations with the West. At the same time, Beijing continues to fuel the biggest armed conflict in Europe since World War II. It cannot have both,” he warned.
Stoltenberg warned Western allies not to become as dependent on China as they were on Russia.
“In the past, we made the mistake of becoming dependent on Russian oil and gas. We must not repeat that mistake with China and depend on its money, raw materials and technologies. Dependence makes us vulnerable,” he added.
China has strengthened trade and military ties with Russia in recent years as the United States and its allies have imposed sanctions on both, but especially Moscow, over its invasion of Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that he plans to travel to China in May, although he did not specify when exactly, Hina writes.
