As Russia continues to brutalize Ukraine, Chinese leader Xi Jinping is trying to appear neutral while taking steps that reveal his support for Moscow. Under his leadership, Beijing has criticized the United States for allegedly triggering the current crisis by enlarging NATO; helped Russia to spread conspiracy theories about Washington’s involvement in a nonexistent biological weapons program in Ukraine; taken exception to Western sanctions; and provided Russian President Vladimir Putin with a lifeline amid Russia’s deepening economic crisis.
Citing a Chinese proverb, Xi has told U.S. President Joe Biden “only he who tied the bell to the tiger’s neck can untie it,” meaning that he sees Biden as responsible for, and therefore required to resolve, today’s military conflict in Europe.
