中国、対ロ関係めぐる「批判や圧力」に反発 米国のけん制受け

【北京ＡＦＰ＝時事】中国政府は１０日、ロシアとの関係をめぐり「批判や圧力」を受け付けるつもりはないと反発した。両国の関係強化をめぐる動きに対する米国の反応を受けての発言とみられる。（写真は、握手を交わすロシアのセルゲイ・ラブロフ外相と中国の習近平国家主席。中国北京で）
　中国とロシアは９日に北京で行われた外相会談で、戦略的協力を強化する考えを示した。米国務省のカート・キャンベル副長官は即日、この動きに対し、米国は「ただ傍観するつもりはない」とけん制する発言をした。
　すると中国外務省の毛寧報道官は１０日、「中国とロシアは通常の経済貿易協力を行う権利がある」「この種の協力は妨害されたり制限されるべきではない。中国は批判や圧力を受け付けない」と反発した。
　中ロ両国はここ数年、経済協力と外交関係を緊密化させており、ロシアによるウクライナ侵攻開始以降は戦略的パートナーシップを強化している。中国はウクライナ紛争について中立的な立場だと主張しているが、ロシアの侵攻を非難したことはない。
　アントニー・ブリンケン国務長官ら米政府高官は最近、中国に対し、ロシアとの貿易継続を通して間接的に侵攻を支援しないよう度々警告している。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2024/04/10-20:17）

China vowed Wednesday it would not accept criticism or pressure over its ties with Russia, after Washington warned that it will hold Beijing responsible if Moscow makes gains in Ukraine.
Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said Tuesday that Washington would not sit by and say everything is fine after Beijing renewed pledges of cooperation with Moscow during a visit by Russia's top diplomat.
In response, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning insisted that China and Russia have the right to engage in normal economic and trade cooperation.
This kind of cooperation should not be interfered with or limited, and China also does not accept criticism or pressure, she added on Wednesday.
The two countries have in recent years ramped up contacts, and their strategic partnership has only grown closer since Moscow's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
Analysts say China holds the upper hand in the relationship with Russia, with its sway growing as Moscow's international isolation deepens as its war drags on.
On Tuesday, the two said they would strengthen strategic cooperation as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with President Xi Jinping and top diplomat Wang Yi.
Xi told Lavrov that China attached great importance to relations with Moscow and stands ready, with Russia, to strengthen bilateral communication, (and) strengthen multilateral strategic coordination, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
Xi and President Vladimir Putin have agreed to maintain close exchanges to ensure the steady development of their ties, the readout said.
- Continued support -
While China says it is a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, it has been criticised for refusing to condemn Moscow for its offensive and for indirect support for the war effort by continuing to trade with Russia.
US officials have recently stepped up warnings to Beijing against providing indirect aid to the Russian war effort.
In Brussels last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters that China continues to provide materials to support Russia's defence industrial base.
And Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who wrapped up a visit to China on Monday, said she had warned officials of the consequences of supporting Russia's military procurement.
Campbell reiterated on Tuesday that we have told China directly, if this continues, it will have an impact on the US-China relationship.
We will see this not as just a Russian unique set of activities but a conjoined set of activities backed by China but also North Korea, he told the National Committee on US-China Relations, an educational group.
This is antithetical to our interests, he warned.
Beijing responded on Wednesday that it has always played a constructive role in seeking a resolution to the war in Ukraine.
If any country is truly concerned about peace in Ukraine, and hopes for an early end to the crisis, they should first reflect on the root causes of the crisis, Mao said.