Washington sees no sign of China aid to Russia in "special operation"

US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price has said that so far Washington has not seen signs that China is helping Russia to circumvent Western sanctions in the context of Russia's "special operation" in Ukraine.

He made the remarks at a weekly press briefing held on August 17 while commenting on the purpose of exercises involving Russia and China.

"My understanding is that these are joint exercises that involve a number of countries well beyond Russia and China. Countries routinely make their own sovereign decisions. It is absolutely their right to do so regarding what, if any, military exercises to take part in. I'll also note that most of the participating countries also routinely participate in a wide array of military exercises and exchanges with the United States as well. So we don't read anything into their engagement in this activity," he said.

Price said that the larger point is that the US has seen a blossoming relationship between China and Russia, including in the security realm.

"That is of concern because of the vision that the PRC, countries like the PRC, countries like Russia, have for the international order. It is a vision that is starkly at odds with the liberal vision that we and our allies and partners have for the international system. It is starkly at odds with the underpinnings of the international system that has been in place for some eight decades following the end of the Second World War, a system that has undergirded unprecedented levels of stability, security, of prosperity across the world. That includes in Europe; that includes in the Indo-Pacific, and everywhere in between," he said.

Earlier, representatives of the US administration repeatedly publicly threatened China that the country would "pay dearly" if it helped Russia. In particular, Ned Price himself stated in July that the supply of weapons or any assistance to Russia from China, which will allow it to systematically evade sanctions, export controls and other financial measures, will cost the PRC very dearly.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian stressed that China in the situation with Ukraine "has always adhered to objectivity and impartiality, stood on the side of peace and justice. At the same time, Beijing opposes illegal unilateral sanctions and extraterritorial jurisdiction, Lijian said.