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Blinken criticizes China’s failure to ‘provide real transparency’ earlier in pandemic

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“I think China knows that in the early stages of Covid, it didn’t do what it needed to do, which was to in real time give access to international experts, in real time to share information, in real time to provide real transparency,” Blinken said on NBC’s “Meet The Press.”

The high diplomat added {that a} results of that failure was that the virus obtained “out of hand, faster and with, I think, much more egregious results than it might otherwise.” He didn’t reply whether or not he believes China is aware of the origins of Covid-19 and is withholding that data.

Blinken additionally known as for a stronger international well being safety system to forestall an identical state of affairs or mitigate it if it have been to occur once more, which Blinken mentioned would come with, in half, transparency, entry to specialists and strengthening and reforming the World Health Organization — noting that China would have to play a component in that. But he didn’t name for punitive measures against China over its dealing with of the coronavirus outbreak.
The feedback from Blinken come amid tensions between the US and China and up to date studies of the nation’s aggressive ways towards Taiwan. Last week, China’s armed forces conducted military exercises to the west and east of Taiwan, a transfer analysts mentioned was a warning to the island and the United States.

China on Thursday confused the significance of Taiwan to China and warned the US not to “play with fire” and “cross the line” when it comes to the connection with the self-ruled island.

Blinken mentioned Sunday the US stands behind its dedication to Taiwan to make sure that it could possibly defend itself as Beijing will increase its aggressive ways.

“All I can tell you is, it would be a serious mistake for anyone to try to change the existing status quo by force,” he mentioned when requested if the US is ready to defend Taiwan militarily. Asked if that meant the US will reply with navy power, Blinken mentioned he wouldn’t get into hypotheticals and reiterated the nation’s dedication to Taiwan.

Tensions over Taiwan have been heating up in latest months as Taipei has garnered assist from the US in the type of new navy {hardware}, an settlement between the US and Taiwanese coast guards, and powerful statements of assist from the Biden administration.

Russia and Ukraine

Blinken additionally mentioned that the US has “real concerns” over Russia’s actions close to the border of Ukraine, including the US is in “very close contact and close coordination” with allies in Europe.

“The question is, ‘is Russia going to continue to act aggressively and recklessly?’ If it does, the President’s been clear, there’ll be costs, there’ll be consequences,” he mentioned.

He added that President Joe Biden has “been very clear” about penalties for Russia however on the identical time is “equally clear eyed” that there are areas the place US and Russia have shared pursuits, such because the START Treaty.
CNN reported Thursday that the US has been actively contemplating how to counter Russian aggression, together with sending warships to the Black Sea.

Blinken additionally mentioned the US has a “significant responsibility,” to get the world vaccinated, saying that the US shall be a frontrunner in that effort when it is all mentioned and achieved.

“Unless and until the vast majority of people in the world are vaccinated, it’s still going to be a problem for us, because as long as the virus is replicating somewhere, it could be mutating and that it could be coming back to us but similarly, the world has a very strong interest in making sure that we’re vaccinated,” he mentioned. “Because the same thing applies, if the vaccine, if the virus is replicating here and mutating here that’s going to be a problem for the rest of world.”

CNN’s Brad Lendon contributed to this report.



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