China-US relations: American state department official explains how Beijing risks crossing 'red line' with Russia
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Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, a senior member of US President Joe Biden's administration, suggests that China's closer ties with Russia risk crossing a line as sensitive to Washington as Taiwan is to Beijing. Campbell emphasizes that the maintenance of peace and stability in Europe is the most important mission for the United States, and China's involvement in Europe is a strategic interest that they want China to understand. He warns that if Russia's offenses continue and they gain territory in Ukraine, it will alter the balance of power in Europe in ways that are unacceptable to the US. Campbell also mentions that China has been providing support to Russia, including machine tools and joint use capabilities, which could impact the US-China relationship. The Beijing-Moscow relationship appeared tighter after Chinese Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to jointly oppose Western-led "bloc confrontation" and "promote reform" in the global system. Campbell's comments come amid high-level bilateral engagements between the US and China, where they confront each other on thorny issues such as US restrictions on sales of advanced technology to China. The Biden administration sees China's closer relations with Russia as a rationale for a stronger alliance with Japan and the Philippines. The US is seeking more engagement on the military and operational side with China, and Campbell believes that the lines of communication are almost fully open.
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