US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has disclosed that the country possesses evidence indicating Chinese attempts to “influence and arguably interfere” with the upcoming US elections, despite Xi Jinping’s previous commitment not to do so.
Following a three-day visit to China, where Blinken engaged in extensive discussions with top Chinese officials, including President Xi, the Secretary of State made these remarks in an interview with CNN’s Kylie Atwood on Friday. The discussions covered a range of contentious issues, from US tech controls to Beijing’s support for Moscow.
Blinken reiterated President Joe Biden’s message to President Xi during their November summit in San Francisco, urging China to refrain from meddling in the 2024 US presidential election. According to CNN, Xi had assured Biden at that time that China would abstain from such interference.
When questioned whether China was violating Xi’s commitment to Biden, Blinken responded, “We have observed, generally speaking, evidence of attempts to influence and arguably interfere, and we want to ensure that this is halted as swiftly as possible.”
He emphasized, “Any interference by China in our election is something that we’re scrutinizing closely and is entirely unacceptable to us, so I wanted to ensure that they received that message once again.” Blinken also voiced concerns about China and other nations exploiting existing social divisions in the US through influence campaigns.
While Beijing consistently denies meddling in US elections, citing its principle of non-interference in other nations’ internal affairs, it and individuals linked to Beijing have faced allegations of political interference in other countries, including Canada.
Blinken’s visit, the latest in a series of high-level meetings culminating in the Biden-Xi summit last year, marks his second trip to China in less than a year. These discussions have initiated efforts to rebuild bilateral communication channels between the two nations.
“We are now focused on areas where we’re working to cooperate, but also we’re being very forthright about our differences, and that’s important if we’re going to prevent the competition we’re engaged in from escalating into conflict,” Blinken told CNN.
Support for Russia
Blinken further stated that during the meeting, he conveyed the Biden administration’s apprehensions about China’s support for Russia’s defense industry and underscored that if this assistance continues, the US would enact further measures in addition to the existing sanctions imposed on over 100 Chinese entities and individuals.
As per US claims, China’s aid enables Russia to bolster its military operations in Ukraine by ramping up the production of tanks, weaponry, and armored vehicles. China has previously criticized the US for making “unfounded allegations” concerning “ordinary trade and economic transactions” between the two nations.
Pro-Palestine protests
When asked about the recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations on US college campuses, amidst growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Blinken defended Americans’ right to protest.
Addressing allegations of antisemitic language being used at some of these events, Blinken acknowledged instances of overt antisemitism but emphasized that “protests in and of themselves are not antisemitic.”
He explained, “What we’re also seeing is people, particularly young individuals from diverse backgrounds, expressing strong emotions about the conflict.”
While not explicitly mentioning China’s limitations on freedom, Blinken highlighted the importance of such expression in democracies. “In our country, giving voice to these sentiments is both appropriate and protected,” he stated. “However, we have observed instances where legitimate expressions of views and beliefs have crossed into clear expressions of antisemitism.”
War on Gaza
When questioned about the possibility of withholding weapons supply to Israel, as demanded by some protestors, Blinken responded in the negative. He emphasized the administration’s focus on aligning foreign policy with the interests and values of the United States, whether in relations with Israel or any other nation.
Regarding the cessation of the conflict in Gaza, Blinken mentioned that Hamas must decide whether to extend the ceasefire after rejecting several proposed agreements. He also noted a reduction in tensions following what seemed to be retaliatory airstrikes between Israel and Iran earlier in the month, which had raised concerns about the escalation of the Gaza War.
Blinken expressed hope that the current situation would not escalate further, suggesting that Hamas might have considered such escalation when rejecting Israel’s offer to release hostages.
He suggested that a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, along with a framework for normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, could potentially be established before a ceasefire in Gaza. Blinken acknowledged the necessity of resolving the conflict in Gaza and finding a solution to the Palestinian issue or reaching an agreement on how to resolve it.
Highlighting the importance of reaching an agreement in ongoing negotiations to secure a ceasefire, US officials emphasized the need for prior agreements before further regional efforts can proceed.
Blinken envisioned a future where Israel is fully integrated into the region, with other countries ensuring its defense, referencing nations that came to Israel’s defense following Iran’s aerial attack in April.
He underscored the need to end the Gaza conflict and establish a clear path toward a Palestinian state to achieve Israel’s longstanding goal of normalizing relations with neighboring nations.
Blinken also mentioned persistent US efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, emphasizing collaborative efforts with partners, including European nations, to advance this goal from theoretical possibilities to tangible realities.
