Blinken made evaluations to CNN on the last day of his three-day visit to China.
Stating that President Joe Biden repeated the message he conveyed to Chinese President Xi Jinping at the summit in San Francisco in November 2023, Blinken said, “Generally speaking, we have seen evidence of attempts to influence (elections) and intervene in a controversial way, and we want to ensure that this is done as quickly as possible.” We want to make sure it ends.” said.
Blinken emphasized that China’s interference in the elections is unacceptable and that they are examining it carefully, and said, “I wanted them to get the message again.” he said.
Noting that they are focusing on the areas where they work to cooperate with China, Blinken stated that the two countries have been extremely frank about their differences and that this is very important to prevent the current competition from turning into conflict.
IF CHINA’S SUPPORT TO RUSSIA CONTINUES, SANCTIONS WILL BE APPLIED
Blinken said he conveyed to both Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Xi the Biden administration’s concerns about Chinese support for Russia’s defense industry and the message that the United States would impose sanctions if this support continues.
Stating that his Chinese interlocutors did not accept that support for Russia played a role in the war in Ukraine, Blinken stated that the Chinese side described this support as trade with Russia and defended that Moscow’s success did not depend on it.
BLINKEN SUPPORTED THE RIGHT OF Americans TO PROTEST
Secretary of State Blinken, while speaking about the pro-Palestinian demonstrations spreading at universities in the USA, said that Americans have the right to protest.
Blinken noted that there were cases where antisemitism was openly expressed in the demonstrations, but that the protests were not anti-Semitic in themselves, and said, “What we see is also people, young people, people from different segments of society, who have very strong feelings about the conflict, who feel very passionately.” he said.
Emphasizing the importance of protests in democracies, Blinken said, “Expressing this in our country, in our society and in our democracy is, of course, both appropriate and protected.” said.
Although Blinken said that the US listens to its people and “takes their opinions into account”, he answered “no” when asked whether the administration would consider stopping sending weapons to Israel.
Blinken pointed out that many possible agreements in Gaza have not been concluded and said that the decision whether to allow a ceasefire belongs to Hamas.
Stating that the tension in the region seems to be decreasing after the air strikes between Iran and Israel, Blinken said, “I hope we do not see this kind of escalation.” said.
Blinken also continued his speech by noting that it would be possible to put forward a framework for normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, along with a two-state solution proposal for Israel and the Palestinians, before a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza:
“We will continue to announce these possibilities, with or without a ceasefire, but for this to happen, the conflict in Gaza will have to end. The Palestinian issue will also need to be resolved, or at least an agreement on how to resolve it.”
Referring to the countries that contributed to the defense of Israel after Iran’s air attack on April 13, Blinken commented that in the future, Israel is truly integrated into the region and other countries can help defend Israel and said:
“But this also requires an end to the conflict (in Gaza) and a clear path to a Palestinian state. In such a future, Israel will get what it has wanted all along: normal relations with the countries of the region.”
Blinken added that the United States continues its efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia as part of the potential to reach an agreement that will end Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
“We are working hard to flesh out this issue. We are also working with our European partners on this issue. I think the more concrete this issue becomes and becomes something real rather than theoretical, everyone involved will really have to make decisions and choices. We want to make this as real as possible.” “We’re trying to make it happen.”
