United States President Joe Biden speaks by telephone with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Friday (18/3). During the talks, Biden reminded China of the 'consequences' if Beijing provided material support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Both countries stressed the need for diplomatic dialogue as a solution to the crisis in Ukraine.
The White House did not specify what the consequences would be, or how the US would define "material support". However, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki indicated China's massive trade flows could be affected.
"Sanctions are certainly one of the instruments in the toolbox," Psaki told a news conference.
Psaki said the US would communicate any consequences directly on China with US European partners and partners.
In the call, Biden detailed efforts by the United States and its allies to respond to the invasion of Ukraine, including by imposing costs on Russia.
"He described the implications and consequences if China provided material support to Russia for carrying out brutal attacks against Ukrainian cities and civilians," the White House said in a statement.
He added that Biden underscored his support for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.
A senior US official said Biden communicated that Beijing would face consequences not only from the United States but also from the wider world.
"The US president really didn't make any special requests from China," the official said. "I think our view is that China will make its own decisions."
Meanwhile, China's foreign ministry said President Xi told Biden that the war in Ukraine must end as soon as possible and asked NATO countries to hold dialogue with Moscow.
However, China does not blame Russia for the invasion.
"The top priority now is to continue dialogue and negotiations, avoid civilian casualties, prevent a humanitarian crisis, stop fighting and end the war as soon as possible," Xi said in his statement.
Xi advocated Russia-Ukraine dialogue and negotiations, and suggested Washington and NATO hold talks with Russia to solve the "core" Ukraine crisis and resolve Russia and Ukraine's security issues.
"The Ukraine crisis is something we don't want to see," Chinese state media quoted Xi as saying in the phone call with Biden, which it said was requested by the US side.
Xi also warned against sanctions. According to him, blind sanctions will only make the people suffer. If it escalates further, it could trigger serious crises in the global economy and trade, finance, energy, food, and industry and supply chains.
"It is also crippling the already sluggish world economy and causing irreversible losses," Xi said.
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was concerned that China was considering directly assisting Russia with military equipment for use in Ukraine. However, China has denied the allegations.
Washington is also concerned that China could help Russia evade Western economic sanctions.
Targeting Beijing with the kind of extensive economic sanctions it has imposed on Russia would have potentially dire consequences for the United States and the world. This is because China is the second largest economy in the world and the largest exporter.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine, now in its fourth week, has killed hundreds of civilians and sparked a humanitarian crisis as millions fled the country.
China has refused to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine or call it an invasion.
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