Today at 21:20
China is increasing sales of machine tools and other technologies to Russia, writes the Associated Press, citing US intelligence data. Thus, in 2023, about 90% of microelectronics came to the Russian Federation from China. Russia uses them to produce missiles, tanks and aircraft. At the same time, the United States announced “significant consequences” if Chinese firms help Russia in the war against Ukraine, FREEDOM reports.
Despite the lack of direct assistance with lethal weapons, China has established supplies of microelements for the Russian military industry. The Associated Press writes about this, citing unnamed senior US officials.
According to the publication, the Russians likely used the import of machine tools from China to increase the production of ballistic missiles. In particular, in 2023, almost 70% of machine tools imported by Russia worth $900 million came from China.
Also, Chinese and Russian companies were caught in the joint production of unmanned aerial vehicles in Russia.
“Beijing is also working with Russia to improve its satellite and other space capabilities for use against Ukraine. In the long term, this could increase the threat that the Russian Federation poses to the whole of Europe,” says the Associated Press.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Beijing’s ties with Moscow have strengthened, and trade between the countries has more than doubled. From $108 billion in 2020 to $240 billion in 2023, writes Politico.
China intends to develop ties with Russia, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized at a meeting in Beijing with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in early April.
“China always attaches great importance to the development of Sino-Russian relations and is ready to strengthen bilateral ties with Russia and enhance multilateral strategic cooperation within the framework of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization… Both countries will show more responsibility and unite countries of the global South,” Xi Jinping said.
Lavrov’s visit coincided with the end of four days of talks by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in Beijing. She threatened Chinese banks and exporters with sanctions for helping export military and dual-use goods to Russia.
“We continue to be concerned about the rules under which any companies, including those from China, participate in Russian military purchases. “I emphasize that companies, including those from China, should not provide material support to Russia’s war and that they will face serious consequences if they do so,” Yellen said.
Previously, the United States imposed sanctions against several Chinese companies for violating the ban on exporting goods to Russia. They can be used in military production.
Beijing has repeatedly stated that it does not supply Russia with weapons or military assistance. At the same time, Washington believes that China is providing military support to the Russian Federation in the war against Ukraine. This issue was discussed by telephone between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“We believe that one of the most dramatic steps available to us now to support Ukraine is to persuade the PRC to stop helping Russia rebuild its military-industrial base. It will be difficult for Russia to maintain its military efforts without China,” Reuters writes, citing a senior US official.
Increased support for Russia from China will be discussed by the foreign ministers of the G7 countries. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will also attend the meeting, which will last from April 14 to 19. In addition, Blinken will arrive in Beijing on an official visit in April.
Let us recall that earlier political scientist Dmitry Vasiliev said that China is indirectly involved in supporting Russia in the war against Ukraine.
