West must prevent becoming as dependent on China as it was on Russia – Stoltenberg

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that China should stop supporting the Russian Federation in its war against Ukraine if it wants to have good relations with the West and has also warned allies against becoming dependent on Chinese resources.

According to Reuters, Stoltenberg said during a visit to Berlin that the Russian Federation critically needs the support of China, which supports its military-industrial complex by providing high-tech goods, in particular, semiconductors.

"Last year, Russia imported 90% of its microelectronics from China, used to produce missiles, tanks and aircraft. China is also working to provide Russia with improved satellite capabilities and imaging," he said. 

The NATO Secretary General recalled that China had declared its desire to have good relations with the West.

"At the same time, Beijing continues to fuel the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War Two. They cannot have it both ways," he warned.

Stoltenberg warned Western allies against becoming as dependent on China as they were on Russia.

"In the past, we made the mistake of becoming dependent on Russian oil and gas. We must not repeat that mistake with China. Depending on its money, its raw materials, its technologies – dependencies make us vulnerable," he emphasised.

Recently, US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith said that China is helping Russia achieve its military goals in Ukraine by continuing to sell goods such as drone technology or gunpowder components.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticised China for supporting Russia's defence industry, saying Beijing is currently the leading supplier of critical components for the war of aggression that Russia is waging against Ukraine.