China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs tried to blame the United States for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying that Washington created the conditions that led to the war, the DPA agency reported, as quoted by Agerpres.

“The US started the crisis in Ukraine and is the biggest factor inflaming it, and continues to sell heavy and assault weapons to Ukraine, which has only prolonged and intensified the conflict,” Ning, a spokeswoman for China’s foreign ministry, told media on Monday.

Her comments came in response to a question about US accusations that some Chinese companies provided support to the Russian side.

She condemned these statements as “unwarranted 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.”

China is making accusations against Washington on the eve of the US Secretary of State’s visit to Beijing

The People’s Republic of China, an ally of Moscow, has not condemned the war in Ukraine, which Russian President Vladimir Putin started on February 24 last year.

The escalation in diplomatic tensions between China and the US comes days before Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is expected to visit Beijing on Sunday.

Blinken’s visit was the first visit by the US Secretary of State to China since 2018.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman warned the US against supporting Taiwan, which China perceives as one of its provinces.

The US has long supplied arms to Taiwan and provided the self-governing island with extensive military support. Mao Ning said the US should not cross “any red line” in its support for Taiwan.