In a significant development, the recent progress in U.S.-China relations has hit a snag as the United States expresses anger towards China's growing involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Biden administration aims to employ new sanctions as a diplomatic tool to dissuade China from providing assistance to Russia's military production. The aid includes drone and missile technology, satellite imagery, as well as machine tools, which bolster Moscow's war capabilities more than two years after its invasion.

During his ongoing three-day diplomatic trip to Beijing, Secretary of State Antony Blinken intends to deliver a firm message to China: sever ties with the Kremlin or face the consequences. The Chinese Communist Party's extensive support for Russian President Vladimir Putin before and after the invasion of Ukraine, including assistance in rebuilding Russia's military industrial base, has prompted the need for U.S. diplomatic channels to apply pressure on Beijing, according to Jonathan Ward, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute think tank in Washington, D.C.

This latest development follows a commitment made in November 2023 between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping to enhance communication channels between the two nations. Efforts to honor this commitment were evident when Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin engaged in a top-level military conversation with his Chinese counterpart, the first such interaction in nearly two years. The conversation aimed to ensure that competition between the two nations does not escalate into conflict.

In early April 2024, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen led an economic delegation to Beijing, which was commended by Chinese state media. However, the U.S. administration has recently started calling out China's export of military equipment to Russia, highlighting that aiding Putin's aggression in Ukraine is a red line for the U.S., comparable to China's stance on Taiwan.

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell emphasized during a town hall hosted by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations that the U.S. has directly informed China that continuity in such support will significantly impact the bilateral relationship. Although there is no evidence of China supplying weapons to Russia, Beijing's reinforcement of Moscow includes nonlethal equipment like drone technology, supplies, and components that have dual-use applications in both civilian and military sectors.

China contends that its exports comply with international laws and regulations. The Chinese Embassy spokesperson, Liu Pengyu, affirmed that China's right to engage in normal trade and economic exchanges must not be interfered with or disrupted. Liu stated that China is not responsible for the Ukraine crisis and rejects groundless accusations from the U.S. Meanwhile, China criticized the U.S. for passing a bill offering a significant amount of aid to Ukraine.

Secretary Blinken, ahead of his trip, stressed that China plays a primary role in supporting Russia's military industrial base. He stated that if China seeks good relations with Europe and other countries, it cannot simultaneously fuel the biggest threat to European security since the Cold War.

U.S. officials have warned of imposing crippling sanctions on Chinese companies if they continue to provide nonlethal supplies to Russia. This is not Secretary Blinken's first visit to China; his earlier planned trip in 2023 was canceled due to a Chinese spy balloon incident. Since the meeting between Presidents Biden and Xi, the relationship between the two nations has become more stable, with China reducing military drills around Taiwan.

According to Ward, if the U.S. wants to see a change in China's behavior towards Russia, it must follow through with its threats. A dialogue between the U.S. and China cannot shy away from addressing the real-world issues of global competition, including the need for China to understand the consequences and potential effects of its continued support for Putin's regime.

As Secretary Blinken concludes his visit to Beijing, eyes are focused on the outcome of the discussions and the potential impact on the delicate balance between the world's superpowers. The trajectory of U.S.-China relations and China's response to the U.S.'s concerns over its support for Russia in Ukraine will likely shape the future dynamics in international geopolitics.