What's happened
The US is contemplating sanctions against Chinese banks to limit their access to the dollar, amid accusations of China's support for Russia's military efforts in Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged G7 nations to pressure China to cease its military assistance to Russia.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Tom Porter from Business Insider UK, the US is preparing sanctions that could cut off Chinese banks from the dollar, a move seen as a response to China's alleged support for Russia's military efforts. Porter cites Secretary of State Antony Blinken's remarks about China's provision of critical technology to Russia, which he claims is aiding the reconstruction of its defense capabilities.
In contrast, Al Jazeera reports on the G7's strong concerns regarding China's military support for Russia, emphasizing the need for collective pressure on Beijing to halt its assistance. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock highlighted the unacceptable nature of China's partnership with Russia amid the ongoing conflict.
The South China Morning Post adds that the US is increasingly vocal about China's role in enhancing Russia's military capabilities, with officials warning that this support poses a significant threat to European security. The article notes that while the US has not yet provided evidence of direct weapon supplies from China to Russia, it continues to condemn what it describes as 'backdoor support.'
How we got here
Tensions have escalated as the US accuses China of supplying critical components to Russia's military, which has been engaged in an ongoing conflict in Ukraine since February 2022. Recent G7 meetings have highlighted concerns over China's role in bolstering Russia's defense capabilities.
Common question
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Antony John Blinken is an American government official who served as United States Deputy Secretary of State from 2015 to 2017 and Deputy National Security Advisor from 2013 to 2015 under President Barack Obama.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.