The U.S. has warned its allies that China is providing satellite imagery to Russia to assist the Kremlin in its war in Ukraine.
"Amid signs of continued military integration between the two nations, China has provided Russia with satellite imagery for military purposes, as well as microelectronics and machine tools for tanks, according to people familiar with the matter," Bloomberg reported on Saturday, citing sources.
China has sought to present itself as neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war, while indirectly aiding the Kremlin through economic support.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized strategic cooperation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was termed a "no-limits" partnership in February 2022.
Though the use of the term "no limits" partnership has disappeared from joint-statements by China and Russia, the two have witnessed increasing convergence since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
China-Russia bilateral trade reached a record $240 billion in 2023, with Chinese companies increasing investments as Western firms left Russia following the imposition of sanctions.
Newsweek has contacted China's Embassy in Washington, D.C., Russia's foreign ministry, and the U.S. State Department for comment.
The U.S. has now issued multiple warnings to European Union and NATO foreign ministers about Beijing's support for Russia being "at a concerning scale," which includes "tools, inputs and technical expertise," the Financial Times reported on Saturday.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently told EU and NATO foreign ministers that Beijing was assisting the Kremlin with the production of optical equipment and propellants, and that there has been increased cooperation in the space sector.
"There has been a shift and it was felt in the room . . . this was a new development. It was very striking," one individual told the Financial Times, speaking on condition of anonymity, citing Blinken's comments to European leaders.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned her Chinese counterpart Vice Premier He Lifeng during her visit to China on Saturday that there will be "significant consequences" for Chinese companies supporting Moscow's war against Ukraine.
"Secretary Yellen emphasized that companies, including those in the PRC, must not provide material support for Russia's war against Ukraine . . . and the significant consequences if they do so," the Financial Times reported, citing Treasury Department officials.
On April 2, President Joe Biden mentioned China's support for Russia's defense industrial base with Xi Jinping during a phone call, according to a readout by the White House.
"He raised concerns over the PRC's support for Russia's defense industrial base and its impact on European and transatlantic security," the readout said.
In January 2023, the Biden administration sanctioned a Chinese company for providing "satellite imagery orders over locations in Ukraine," which were used by Kremlin-backed paramilitary organization the Wagner Group, Bloomberg reported last year.
Putin is slated to visit China in the second half of May.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Aadil Brar is a reporter for Newsweek based in Taipei, Taiwan. He covers international security, U.S.-China relations, and East Asian ... Read more
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