Let's talk to our correspondent, Jana Lee.
She joins us now. Anthony Blinken heading to China with
a pretty stern message warning Beijing over its support for
Russia's military.
Has that been perceived there?
Well, for Beijing, criticism of its relationship with Moscow is
hypocritical and irresponsible.
But let's rewind a little bit.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken had said just before his
trip here to China that China is the primary contributor
to Russias defence industrial base.
the US has not accused China of directly selling lethal
weapons to Moscow,
but Ukraine's supporters are increasingly worried about China's indirect help.
We're talking about exports, exports of mechanical parts and technology
and what the US now calls dual use components to
Russia.
Unnamed U.S. officials told the Wall Street Journal that a
Washington could even threaten to slap sanctions on Chinese banks
involved in these exports.
And the timing of those leaks that are probably made
to lay the groundwork ahead of the visit for blinking
and his talks with his counterparts,
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in Beijing has already
reacted saying that China has a right to normal trade
and Economic Cooperation with Russia and all other countries and
this should not be violated.
Both sides then they're clearly trying to pass on messages
rather publicly ahead of their closed door meetings.
And if a blinkers meetings in Shanghai go well and
if his six hour marathon talks with his Chinese counterpart
Wangy in Beijing.
Goes well, he might be granted an audience with President
Xi Jinping like during his last visit here to China,
but at this stage, we don't know yet.
And Jenna, as we started the bulletin at the top,
the US Senate just passing that aid package it includes,
doesn't it? Support for Taiwan also could result in the
Chinese own social media platform Tick Tock being banned.
It's rather awkward timing, isn't it for this visit.
Absolutely 8 million USA billion,
excuse me, USA dollars to counter communist China.
According to the US Congress,
this budget was destined is destined for the Indo Pacific
region and in particular Taiwan.
And here in Beijing, the Taiwan affairs office has reacted
saying that these bills I quote,
send the wrong signal to Taiwan independent separatist forces and
we are a resolutely opposed to it.
And just moments ago, officials also warned that this aid
increases.
The risk of conflict, But for the US selling weapons
to Taipei,
that's nothing particularly new. And on top of these,
this military aid, there's also been a law concerning tick
tock.
And the US is one step closer to banning that
social media app in the US if the Chinese parent
group Bite doesn't sell it off.
Yeah, no, thanks very much.
Jenna Lee, our correspondent, talking to us now from Beijing.