China has significantly increased its sales of machine tools, microelectronics, and other technology to Russia, which Moscow is utilizing to manufacture missiles, tanks, aircraft, and other weaponry for its ongoing war against Ukraine, according to a recent U.S. assessment.
In 2023, around 90% of Russia's microelectronics were sourced from China, enabling the production of missiles, tanks, and aircraft. Additionally, nearly 70% of Russia's machine tool imports, totaling approximately $900 million in the last quarter of 2023, originated from China.
Chinese and Russian entities have collaborated on producing unmanned aerial vehicles within Russia, with Chinese companies likely supplying nitrocellulose for ammunition manufacturing. Chinese firms such as Wuhan Global Sensor Technology Co., Wuhan Tongsheng Technology Co. Ltd., and Hikvision are providing optical components for Russian tanks and armored vehicles.
Russia has received military optics for tanks and armored vehicles from Chinese companies iRay Technology and North China Research Institute of Electro-Optics. China has also been supplying Russia with UAV engines and turbojet engines for cruise missiles.
Russia's semiconductor imports from China surged from $200 million in 2021 to over $500 million in 2022, as per data analyzed by the Free Russia Foundation.
China is collaborating with Russia to enhance its satellite and space-based capabilities for use in Ukraine, potentially increasing the threat Russia poses across Europe in the long term. The U.S. has determined that China is providing imagery to Russia for its operations in Ukraine.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to address concerns about China's indirect support for Russia during his upcoming visit to China. President Joe Biden has previously raised concerns with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding Beijing's backing of Russia's war effort.
While China denies providing direct lethal military support to Russia, it has diplomatically supported Moscow's actions. China emphasizes that its trade relationship with Russia should not be interfered with and urges the U.S. to refrain from disparaging their ties.
Russia's increasing reliance on China, amid growing economic and diplomatic isolation, has led to closer cooperation between the two countries. The U.S. has warned of potential sanctions against Chinese entities aiding Russia's military efforts.
Efforts to unveil intelligence findings have deterred China from directly arming Russia, with the U.S. highlighting Russia's challenges in the conflict with Ukraine. China recently imposed sanctions on two U.S. defense companies over their support for arms sales to Taiwan.
General Dynamics and General Atomics are among the companies facing sanctions, impacting their operations in China. General Dynamics assists in producing tanks for Taiwan, while General Atomics manufactures drones for the U.S. military.
