China has hit back at reports suggesting some of its state-owned companies may be providing support to Russia's war in Ukraine.
At a press briefing in Beijing the foreign ministry said the US is "the one who started the Ukraine crisis and the biggest factor fueling it."
It's raised doubt of progress in ties between Washington and Beijing ahead of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's upcoming visit to the Chinese capital.
The development comes also despite China appearing to soften its approach on foreign policy following the appointment of Qin Gang as foreign minister in Beijing.
He's believed to be behind China's efforts to discard the so-called "wolf-warrior approach".
Alfred Wu is an Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore.
IN: Right now...
OUT: ...in China.
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LINK: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0131_WUmofa.mp3