A recent investigation has uncovered China’s involvement in arming Russia with a range of military equipment, including helicopters, drones, optical sights, and crucial metals used in the defence industry.
The discovery raises questions about China’s neutrality in the ongoing conflict and its positioning as a peace broker in talks to end the conflict.
Despite its claims of neutrality, China has been sending substantial shipments to Russian firms, even those under sanctions, involved in producing missile launchers, armoured vehicles, and strategic bombers.
The support comes amidst Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which started on February 24 of last year and has since lasted 541 days.
According to The Telegraph, trade between China and Russia is projected to exceed $200 billion this year, a record high.
While Chinese exports to other nations have declined, exports of goods with potential military applications to Russia have tripled in the past year, according to analysis by the Observatory of Economic Complexity.
These items, categorised as dual-use goods due to their civilian applications, allow China to circumvent international sanctions and claim legality in their trade with Russia. This support appears to be aiding Russia in mitigating the impact of sanctions, thereby challenging the effectiveness of Western efforts to weaken Russia’s economy.
One startling example is the shipment of 1,000 drones from a company named Shantou Honghu Plastics, which labels itself as a wholesaler of children’s toys. These drones were delivered to a Russian firm, Samson, posing as a games and toys wholesaler.
Similarly, Chinese companies such as Hems999 and Tianjin Huarong Aviation have supplied helicopters to Russia, received by Ural Helicopter, a key player in Russia’s National Guard led by Viktor Zolotov, a close associate of Putin.
Moreover, Chinese firms have sent optical sights to over 50 Russian companies, with imports of these products doubling to $2.5 million last year. While labelled as equipment for “hunting,” these devices could potentially be fitted onto military weaponry, offering enhanced vision for military operations.
China’s involvement extends to the export of raw materials essential for armament manufacturing. The investigation revealed that Russia’s imports of such materials, including titanium alloy products used in military aircraft and weapons, have surged.
For instance, China’s export of titanium alloy products to Russia nearly doubled to $18 million in 2022.
