US has seen evidence of Chinese bid to influence election - Blinken

Washington has seen evidence of attempts by Beijing to "influence and arguably interfere" in this year's US elections, the secretary of state has said during a trip to China, also warning that Chinese firms face new sanctions if they do not stop supplying the Russian arms industry.

- Julian Borger 

Antony Blinken told CNN that he had reiterated Joe Biden's message to Xi Jinping not to interfere in November's vote - a warning that reportedly received positive assurances from the Chinese president. Asked whether China was keeping its promise, Blinken said: "We have seen, generally speaking, evidence of attempts to influence, and arguably interfere, and we want to make sure that that's cut off as quickly as possible."

There was no immediate response from Beijing on either the accusation or the warning on sanctions. But earlier yesterday, China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, said "disruptions" could reverse recent improvements in US-China relations and lead to a "downward spiral" of rivalry, confrontation and even conflict.