Biden warns Xi Jinping about Western influence on Chinese economy, discusses cluster bomb decision in Ukraine
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File picture of Joe Biden and Xi Jinping
Washington: US President Joe Biden said that he had cautioned Chinese President Xi Jinping to "be careful" regarding Western investment, following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"I said: This is not a threat. This is an observation," he asserted.
During an interview with CNN, Biden highlighted the economic consequences faced by Russia after the Ukraine conflict, stating, "Since Russia went into Ukraine, 600 American corporations have pulled out of Russia. And you have told me that your economy depends on investment from Europe and the United States. And be careful. Be careful."
In a separate development, President Biden defended the decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine, acknowledging that it was a challenging choice but one necessary to support Ukraine in its battle against the Russian invasion. Biden explained that Ukraine was running low on ammunition and emphasised that he had consulted with allies regarding the decision. The US president underscored the urgency of the situation, stating, "The Ukrainians are running out of ammunition."
He also announced that the United States had successfully destroyed its entire stockpile of chemical weapons, fulfilling its commitment under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Praising this achievement, Biden said, "Today, I am proud to announce that the United States has safely destroyed the final munition in that stockpile, bringing us one step closer to a world free from the horrors of chemical weapons." The US had held artillery projectiles and rockets containing hazardous chemical agents, including mustard gases, VX and sarin nerve agents, and blister agents. The completion of the stockpile destruction marked a significant milestone as the first verification of an entire category of declared weapons of mass destruction being eliminated.
President Biden called for continued vigilance to ensure the destruction of chemical weapons worldwide and urged Russia and Syria to adhere to the Chemical Weapons Convention and disclose any undeclared programs. Biden emphasised the importance of these measures, as such weapons have been used to commit atrocities and attacks.