Alleged Chinese Military Aid to Russia Amid Ukraine Crisis Raises Concerns
China Maintains 'Neutrality' Over Ukraine
Overt Operator
August 21, 2023
As the ongoing crisis in Ukraine continues, allegations have surfaced suggesting that China is playing a role in arming Russia with a range of military equipment, including helicopters, drones, optical sights, and crucial defense industry metals.
Despite these claims, China maintains that it remains neutral in the conflict and vehemently denies supplying military equipment to Russia. The alleged support from China comes as trade between the two nations is projected to surpass $200 billion this year, marking a notable milestone.
Media reports suggest that Chinese aid to Russia may have commenced even before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In fact, Chinese toy wholesaler Shantou Honghu Plastics purportedly sent 1,000 drones to the Russian company Samson two months before the outbreak of war, as per information from open source research firm Molfar, cited by The Telegraph.
Amid the intensification of hostilities, the alleged assistance from China seems to have escalated. Chinese entities Hems999 and Tianjin Huarong Aviation reportedly dispatched helicopters to Russia, reflecting a broader pattern of support.
Over 50 Russian companies are believed to have recieved shipments of optical sights from Chinese suppliers. While these items were seemingly labeled as "hunting" equipment by the company Yiwu Wojie Optics Instrument, experts suggest that they could potentially be repurposed for military applications.
China's approach appears to involve exploiting loopholes by sending "dual-use" equipment that could have both civilian and military applications. This strategy allows China to maintain a degree of plausible deniability, while also leveraging the reluctance of Western powers to confront a major global player.
While allegations of Chinese military assistance to Russia are met with concern and international scrutiny, the close relationship between the two nations continues to persist. Trade ties remain strong, with a projected trade volume exceeding $200 billion this year. This financial interdependence potentially serves as a significant factor influencing China's stance on the matter.