Biden, new British leader Sunak agree to support Ukraine, address China
U.S. President Joe Biden and new British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed Tuesday to enhance bilateral cooperation on issues critical to global security and prosperity, touching on the need to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia and address China’s growing assertiveness.
According to the White House, Biden spoke with Sunak by phone to congratulate the new British prime minister, who has taken over from Liz Truss following a political crisis caused by her economic plan.
While reaffirming “the special relationship” between their countries, the two leaders agreed on the importance of working together to support Ukraine, holding Russia accountable for its aggression, addressing the challenges posed by China and cooperating to secure energy resources, it said in a statement.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin criticized the move, saying at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday that China is “a partner and an opportunity” for the development of all countries “rather than a challenge or a threat.”
Beijing urges Washington to “discard zero-sum mentality” and “build a new concept of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation” instead of hyping up “the outdated China threat,” Wang said.
Britain has been stepping up its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, partly propelled by Beijing’s actions undermining democracy and human rights in Hong Kong, a former British colony.
Britain dispatched the Royal Navy aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth to Japan last year and has also joined a three-way security partnership with Australia and the United States, known as AUKUS, to help Canberra acquire nuclear-powered submarines.