Durbin Meets With Chinese Ambassador To The U.S.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today met with Chinese Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang to discuss Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine. Although China claims to oppose the war and support international law and territorial sovereignty, China has refused to condemn Russia’s invasion. Durbin also reiterated his support for Lithuania as the nation faces economic pressure from the Chinese government for improving diplomatic ties with Taiwan. As a result of Lithuania’s growing relationship with Taiwan, China has imposed an embargo against Lithuania and recalled its ambassador.
“It is extremely concerning China has refused to clearly condemn Putin’s unjustified and unprovoked war,” said Durbin. “During our meeting, I made clear that the United States and U.S. Congress supports Ukraine and its surrounding democratic neighborhors, such as Lithuania. While we have many areas of shared interests such as stemming the nuclear pursuits of North Korea and Iran, ultimately China’s credibility is on the line as its sits silently amid Russia’s slaughter of Ukrainian civilians.”
Durbin and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Co-Chairs of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, previously introduced the Baltic Defense and Deterrence Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation to effectively codify the Baltic Security Initiative effort and create a complementary initiative at the U.S. Department of State. Jointly, these two efforts will enhance and strengthen U.S. security and economic cooperation with the Baltics amid Russia’s continued aggression toward the Baltics and heightened tensions with China.
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