US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said China is considering supplying Russia with weapons and ammunition for use in the war in Ukraine.
Mr. Blinken told CBS News that Chinese companies are already supplying Russia with non-lethal weapons. He added that new information suggests that Beijing may now be supplying "lethal" weapons.
He warned that China could suffer "serious consequences" for this.
China has denied reports that Moscow is seeking military equipment from them.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has so far not condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine. However, he tried to remain neutral in this conflict and called for peace.
Mr. Blinken said these things in an interview with CBS after a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Munich Security Conference.
He said, during this meeting, he expressed deep concern about what is being said that 'China may supply Russia with lethal weapons'.
“So far we have seen Chinese companies supplying Russia with non-lethal equipment for use in Ukraine. But the information we have now shows that China is considering providing lethal weapons, which we are concerned about."
He did not elaborate on what information they have about China's possible plans. Asked what kind of equipment China could give Russia, Mr. Blinken said it was mainly weapons and ammunition.
"If China arms Russia, it will create serious problems for us and about us," he said.
The US imposed sanctions against a Chinese company after it provided satellite images of Ukraine to Wagner, a Russian mercenary group. Thousands of soldiers of this Wagner group are fighting for Russia in Ukraine.
Anthony Blinken said there is no big difference between government and private companies in China. He also said that the United States has a concern that China may help Russia avoid sanctions imposed by Western countries. China's trade with Russia is growing, and China is now one of Russia's largest markets for oil, gas and coal.
NATO member states, including the United States, are sending a wide range of weapons, ammunition and equipment to Ukraine, including tanks. But no one has sent fighter jets yet. Mr Blinken declined to say whether the US would help any other country send fighter jets.
However, he said, Western countries should ensure that Ukraine can launch a strong counterattack against Russia in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at the Munich conference on Saturday that China is not standing as a silent spectator in the Ukraine war, nor is it fanning the flames of this war.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday
He said that China will publish a document on how to resolve this conflict. He also said that it will be said to respect the geographical integrity of all countries.
"My suggestion is that any effort to stop this war should be considered by everyone, especially our friends in Europe."
"There are some forces that don't seem to want the talks to succeed, or the war to end quickly," he added. But he did not say who he was referring to.
Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tazzani said Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to give a "peace speech" on February 24, the first anniversary of the start of Russia's war against Ukraine.
Mr. Tajani told an Italian radio station that President Xi will call for peace without condemning Russia in this speech.
In their meeting in Munich, Mr Blinken and Mr Wang also exchanged tough words about China's alleged spy balloons. This balloon was shot down in the sky of the United States.
Mr. Blinken said he made it clear during the meeting, "The United States will not allow its sovereignty to be undermined in any way, and such an irresponsible incident will never happen again."
Mr. Wang, on the other hand, described the incident as "a political farce created by the United States." He alleged that the US was trying its best to contain and contain China. China denies sending spy balloons over US airspace
According to Mr. Blinken, other countries are concerned about China's program of flying surveillance balloons over five continents.
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