Not selling arms to any regions in conflicts: China dismisses US claim

China’s foreign ministry on Friday said it would not sell arms to “any regions in conflicts” amid reports and concerns that China would provide weapons to Russia.

In response to a reporter’s question over a Der Spiegel report that says China is negotiating the sale of drones to Russia, China’s spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, “China has been taking a prudent and responsible attitude toward military export.”

“We don’t sell arms to any regions in conflicts or warring parties” he added.

China’s support for Russia has been largely rhetorical and political. Beijing has helped to prevent efforts to condemn Moscow at the United Nations.

There is no public evidence it is currently supplying arms to Russia, but the U.S. has said China is providing non-lethal support already and may do more.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, at the Munich conference, said the United States has long been concerned that China would provide weapons to Russia. “We have information that gives us concern that they are considering providing lethal support to Russia,” he said.

Blinken said he expressed to the Chinese envoy to the meeting, Wang Yi, that “this would be a serious problem.”

“What China has done” Wang said, “is promoting peace talks.”

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