US wants to use anti-Russia bloc against China

The administration of President Joe Biden wants to turn the international bloc against the Russian invasion of Ukraine into a broader coalition to counter what it sees as a more serious long-term threat to the global order from China, according to official sources.

The sources said that the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, will present to his allies in the West a criterion based on three pillars to compete with Beijing in the race to define the economic and military balance of the 21st century, in a speech in which he will outline the government policy towards China.

While the United States sees Russia as the most acute and immediate threat to international stability, the administration believes China poses a greater danger, the sources said. That is why it is gathering resources, friends and allies to confront China’s growing assertiveness in the world.

The officials acknowledged that the United States’ ability to exert direct influence over China’s intentions and ambitions is limited, and so it will choose to focus on the strategic environment around China.

The sources spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity in anticipation of Blinken’s speech at George Washington University. Biden has just toured South Korea and Japan, where China was a predominant topic in the meetings.

On that trip, Biden caused surprise when he said that, in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, the United States would intervene militarily to help the island that Beijing considers a rogue province.

The administration was quick to clarify that this was not a change in official policy, and officials said Blinken will reaffirm that there has been no change in Washington’s position. The American policy continues to be that ofone china”, under which it recognizes Beijing, but allows arms sales and unofficial ties with the government in Taipei.

The officials said Blinken will explain that the global response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine serves as a model against China’s efforts to create a new and unpredictable world order, replacing the norms and institutions that have guided relations. between states since the end of World War II.