China’s role in the war on Ukraine has been condemned by Defence Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and their UK counterparts, who have urged the Asian superpower to withdraw its “economic support” for Russia. Both Mr Marles and Senator Wong had travelled to London to attend the latest round of bilateral ministerial talks, known as the AUKMIN summit, held on June 10. During the meeting, both sets of ministers expressed “deep concerns about the role of third countries in supporting Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine and the implications for Indo-Pacific security”. In a joint statement, they singled out China and urged the nation to halt the flow of dual-use items to Russia. Dual-use items, including electronic components or satellite imagery, do not meet the threshold for lethal weapons but are still supplies that assist Russia in bolstering its industrial base. The ministers called on China to not just “cease support to Russia’s war effort” but to use its relationship with Moscow to help bring an end to the war, in line with its obligations as a member of the UN Security Council. In a subsequent press conference, Senator Wong said the talks emphasised both Australia and the UK’s “unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s unjustified invasion”. “We will stand with Ukraine, and we will continue to do so for as long as it is attacked,” she said. Mr Marles echoed this sentiment, describing the Russia-Ukraine conflict has having “put on trial the rules-based order”. He said this dilemma extended to the Indo-Pacific too. Another outcome of the meeting was an extended co-operation between the two countries on radar technology, as well as critical minerals. UK Defence Secretary John Healey said the latter would include antimony and gallium, which “are essential as a foundation for modern defence and military capability”. “We signed a statement together, which is the first ever critical minerals deal for either of our defence departments, as defence departments, and I’m proud that we’ve done that, and we will develop that with Australia,” Mr Healey said. Read related topics:ChinaPenny Wong