The Chinese Foreign Ministry tried to blame the United States for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying Washington created the conditions that led to the war, and condemned the arms deliveries for fueling the conflict, which is approaching its one-year anniversary, DPA reports, Agerpres reads.

„The US is the one who started the crisis in Ukraine and is the biggest factor fueling it and has continued to sell heavy and assault weapons to Ukraine, which has only prolonged and intensified the conflict,” the spokeswoman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mao Ning told the media on Monday.

Her comments came in response to a question about US allegations that some Chinese companies have provided support to the Russian side. She denounced these claims as „unjustified suspicions” and „baseless blackmail”.

Mao Ning added that China „will not passively stand by as the US harms the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.”

Russia launched a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The People’s Republic of China, an ally of Moscow, did not condemn Russia’s actions. This escalation of diplomatic tensions between China and the US comes just days before the visit of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is expected in Beijing on Sunday. Blinken’s visit is the first to China by a US secretary of state since 2018.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman issued a warning to the US over its support for Taiwan, which China perceives as one of its provinces. The US has long supplied arms to Taiwan and provides the self-governing island with extensive military support.

Mao Ning said the US should not cross „any red line” in its support for Taiwan.

Agerpres