In a recent interview with CNN’s Kylie Atwood, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken alleged that China has been attempting to influence and potentially interfere with the upcoming US elections. This claim comes despite a previous assurance from Chinese leader Xi Jinping that China would abstain from such actions.
Blinken’s remarks were made during his three-day trip to China, where he spent considerable time in discussions with top Chinese officials, including Xi Jinping. The talks covered a range of contentious issues, from US tech controls to Beijing’s support for Moscow.
The Secretary of State reiterated a message from President Joe Biden to Xi during their San Francisco summit last November, urging China not to interfere in the 2024 US presidential elections. Despite Xi’s pledge that China would not interfere, Blinken expressed concerns over evidence suggesting attempts to influence and potentially interfere in the election process.
“Any interference by China in our election is something that we’re looking very carefully at and is totally unacceptable to us,” Blinken stated, expressing concerns about China and other countries exploiting existing social divisions in the US for influence campaigns.
China has consistently denied interfering in US elections, citing its principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs. However, China or actors believed to be affiliated with Beijing have been accused of political interference in other countries, such as Canada.
Blinken Warns China Over Support for Russia
Blinken also raised concerns about China’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base during his meeting with Chinese officials. He warned that the US would take further action on top of existing sanctions on more than 100 Chinese entities and individuals if such support continues.
The US believes that Chinese support is enabling Russia to increase production of tanks, munitions, and armored vehicles, thereby continuing its onslaught on Ukraine. Blinken emphasized that if China does not act, the US will.
Defending the Right to Protest
When asked about pro-Palestinian protests across US college campuses, Blinken defended the American right to protest. He acknowledged instances of antisemitism but clarified that protests in themselves are not antisemitic. He emphasized the importance of such expressions in democracies, without explicitly mentioning the lack of such freedoms in China.
On Ending the War in Gaza
Regarding the conflict in Gaza, Blinken stated that it was up to Hamas to decide whether to allow a ceasefire. He also suggested that it could be possible to roll out a framework for normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia along with a two-state solution proposal for Israel and the Palestinians before a Gaza ceasefire is in place.
He cited the sustained US efforts to work towards normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia as part of a potentially historic agreement to bring the Israel-Hamas war to an end.
Reporting contributed by Jennifer Hansler, CNN.