US spreading ‘disinformation’

Beijing yesterday accused Washington of spreading "disinformation" over China's role in the Ukraine war, ahead of talks between the two countries' envoys in Rome.

Without directly addressing US media reports of a Russian request for help from Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said: "The US has been spreading disinformation targeting China on the Ukraine issue, with malicious intentions."

Russia has asked China for military and economic aid for its war in Ukraine, US media reported Sunday, hours after the White House warned Beijing would face severe "consequences" if it helps Moscow evade sanctions.

Moscow also asked Beijing for economic assistance against the crippling sanctions imposed against it by most of the Western world, the New York Times said, again citing anonymous officials.

The officials declined to explain exactly what Russia had requested, or whether China had responded, according to the reports.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington told multiple outlets "I've never heard of that" when asked about the alleged requests.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said yesterday Russia has not asked China for military assistance and has sufficient military clout to fulfill all of its aims in Ukraine in time and in full, reports Reuters.

Beijing has declined to directly condemn Moscow for launching its invasion, and has repeatedly blamed Nato's "eastward expansion" for worsening tensions between Russia and Ukraine, echoing the Kremlin's prime security grievance.

Zhao said that China had "played a constructive role in urging peace and calling for negotiations."

His comments came ahead of a meeting between a high-level US delegation and a top Chinese official in Rome.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Yang Jiechi, the Chinese Communist Party's chief diplomat, "will discuss ongoing efforts to manage the competition between our two countries and discuss the impact of Russia's war against Ukraine on regional and global security," National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said Sunday in a statement.

Sullivan made a round of Sunday talk shows to say the White House was "watching closely" to see whether China provides material or economic support to Russia to help it evade the punishing impact of sanctions.