Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reiterated the United States' evidence of China's efforts to influence the upcoming US presidential elections. During his visit to China, Blinken highlighted President Biden's message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, urging him to refrain from interfering in US elections, to which Xi reportedly agreed. Blinken emphasized the US's vigilance against any attempts by China to meddle in its electoral processes, describing such interference as unacceptable and warranting close scrutiny.
In addition to concerns about election interference, Blinken addressed the issue of social divisions within the US being exploited by foreign actors, including China. While Beijing has denied allegations of meddling in US elections, Blinken underscored the need to remain vigilant against influence campaigns targeting domestic divisions.
Amid ongoing pro-Palestinian protests, Blinken defended the American right to protest while acknowledging instances of antisemitism. He differentiated between legitimate expressions of views and beliefs and expressions veering into antisemitism, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between the two.
Responding to reports suggesting a halt in US weaponry shipments to Israel, Blinken reaffirmed the US's commitment to its interests and values in foreign policy decisions. He emphasized the need to align US actions with its interests while engaging with partners like Israel.
Regarding China's support for Russia amid the Ukraine conflict, Blinken expressed concerns and warned of potential actions against Chinese entities and individuals if such support continues. He conveyed the US's expectations for China to cease its support for Russia and emphasized that additional actions may be taken if necessary.
While China maintains neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, Blinken's remarks underscored ongoing tensions between the US and China over various geopolitical issues, including election interference, social divisions, and support for Russia.
