By Michael Martina

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Russia’s sanctions against it over the war in Ukraine must give China a good understanding of what it might face if Russia provides material support for Moscow, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman stated Wednesday.

Sherman stated that the U.S. partners and allies coordinated a “range of sanctions and export controls” against Russian President Vladimir Putin. The country’s economy and oligarchs should be an example to China’s leader Xi Jinping.

Sherman said that President Xi has a better understanding of how things might turn if he supports Putin.

She stated that Beijing must “learn from the Western coordinated response to Ukraine” and said any Chinese moves to forcefully take Taiwan, a democratically-governed island, would be unacceptable.

“We hope the PRC realizes that any such actions would see a reaction from the international community not from the United States,” she stated, referring specifically to the People’s Republic of China.

China refused to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine and called it an invasion. It also criticised Western sanctions against Moscow. However, a top Chinese diplomat stated last week that Beijing was not intentionally circumventing sanctions.

Since 2002, Beijing has been establishing closer relations with Moscow. In February they announced a partnership “without limits”.

Sherman stated that Beijing showed signs of conflict over being closely tied to Russia. This was evident in light of the grim imagery of dead civilians captured at close quarters during the Russian invasion of Bucha, Ukraine.

They don’t view Russia as a potential partner, but that’s not the point. They are not ignorant. They are. Sherman stated that they are not allies, but have made it public.

During a video chat in March, U.S. President Joe Biden told Xi that any support for Russia’s counter-sanctions or military aid would have serious consequences.

Biden stated later that China knew its future economic success was tied to the West and not Russia.