Kremlin, commenting on Blinken lobbying China on Russia, says Moscow and Beijing ties to continue

[April 27, 2024]  MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin shrugged off a trip to China by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during which he raised concerns about Chinese support for Russia's military, saying Moscow and Beijing would continue to develop their own ties.  

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, April 26, 2024. Mark Schiefelbein/Pool via REUTERS

Blinken raised concerns on Friday about China's support for Russia's military, one of the many issues threatening to sour the recent improvement in relations between the world's biggest economies.

Despite its "no limits" partnership with Moscow, China has steered clear of providing arms for Russia's war in Ukraine, but Blinken said its supply of so-called dual-use goods was "having a material effect in Ukraine."

China has said it has not provided weaponry to any party and is "not a producer of or party involved in the Ukraine crisis". However, it says that normal trade between China and Russia should not be interrupted or restricted.

"China is an absolutely sovereign state, a powerful state that is able to defend and protect its interests," Peskov told reporters when asked about Blinken's trip and the U.S. pressure on China.

"At the same time, it (China) is our close partner. We will further develop our co-operation."

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Andrew Osborn)

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