Chinese Government Quotes US Ambassador For Talks

The US has imposed sanctions against China for allegedly buying Russian fighter planes. Now the US ambassador has to report back.

Following the recent US sanctions against China, the Chinese government quoted the US ambassador in Beijing for talks at the State Department. This was confirmed by a spokesman of the US State Department of the German Press Agency in Washington. He didn't give any details.

A few days ago, the US imposed sanctions on a Chinese military authority for the purchase of Russian fighter planes and missiles. The US State Department has accused the Chinese Economic Development Department (EDD) and its Director Li Shangfu of large transactions with Russia. The purchase of Su-35 combat aircraft and S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems will be discussed in detail.

The S-400 air-craft missile is in the state of air (fighter) defence system and distributed by the Russian armed forces worldwide.

The US government under President Donald Trump had imposed a series of punitive measures against Russia since 2017, mainly because of Moscow's role in the Ukrainian conflict and because of Russia's alleged influence in the 2016 US presidential elections. According to the US government, the latest punitive measure against the Chinese government was also primarily directed against Russia.

The Chinese government had reacted extremely angrily to the US move and threatened with consequences if the Americans did not withdraw the sanctions.

Relations between the US and China are generally tense at present. Both countries are in a fierce trade conflict. A few days ago, Trump pushed the trade dispute into a new escalation stage and decided to impose special duties on half of all imports of goods from China.

Francis Tawiah (Duisburg - Germany)