China's Support to Russia for Military Expansion Amid Ukraine Conflict Draws Concern from US Officials
Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, China's substantial assistance to Russia in bolstering its defense industry has raised alarms among US officials. Reports indicate that Moscow is making unprecedented strides in military manufacturing with extensive support from Beijing, marking a significant escalation in its capabilities since the Soviet era. Senior Biden administration officials express growing apprehension over this collaborative effort as the conflict persists.
China is assisting Russia in boosting its defense industry on a large scale. This support has led to Moscow's most ambitious military manufacturing expansion since the Soviet era as it remains engaged in the conflict with Ukraine, as per senior officials from the Biden administration.
The assistance from China involves providing substantial amounts of machine tools, drone and turbojet engines, as well as technology for cruise missiles, microelectronics, and nitrocellulose - which Russia utilizes in creating propellant for weapons, the officials mentioned.
Chinese and Russian entities are collaborating to manufacture drones in Russia, according to an official. This support from China is greatly helping Russia in its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. On the other hand, Ukraine's military is facing challenges due to shortages of equipment and weapons. The situation is made worse by Republicans in the US Congress who are blocking a vote on a new military aid package for Kyiv.
A senior administration official has stated that a crucial move to support Ukraine is to convince China to stop assisting Russia in rebuilding its military capabilities. The official emphasized that Russia heavily relies on Chinese materials to sustain its war efforts.
Gen. Chris Cavoli, the commander of US European Command, informed lawmakers this week that Russia has successfully rebuilt its military since the invasion of Ukraine over 2 years ago. US officials are now attributing this rapid build-up to China's significant support.
In 2023, a significant demonstration of the deepening partnership between China and Russia was seen when 90% of Russia’s micro-electronics imports came from China. These imports were utilized by Russia in the production of missiles, tanks, and aircraft, according to a second official.
Furthermore, officials have attributed Russia's rapid expansion in the production of artillery rounds to the nitrocellulose supplied by China. As a result, Russia is on course to manufacture nearly three times more artillery munitions than both the US and Europe, as reported by CNN earlier this year.
China is also assisting Russia in enhancing its satellite and other space-based capabilities for operations in Ukraine. Additionally, China is supplying Russia with imagery to support its military efforts in Ukraine. Officials mentioned that a portion of this information is sourced from declassified US intelligence.
China's support has been helping to make up for the challenges faced by Russia's defense industry during the early stages of the Ukraine war, caused by US sanctions and export controls.
President Joe Biden recently expressed worries about China's assistance to Russia's defense industry during a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This concern has been raised by other officials in discussions with their Chinese counterparts as well.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the issue with US allies during his recent trip to Europe. The US has not observed any disruption in Chinese support since the Biden-Xi phone call, although changes may take time to materialize.
China remains hesitant to supply Russia with lethal weapons, a concern raised by the US since the start of the Ukraine conflict. However, non-lethal support can also have a significant impact in many situations.
US officials emphasized the importance of convincing China and its allies to stop this behavior, even though measuring success will be challenging. In a recent call with President Vladimir Putin, Xi highlighted a new era of increased cooperation with Russia.
During her recent visit to China, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen issued a caution to Chinese companies, warning of "significant consequences" if they offer support to Russia for the conflict in Ukraine.
The Biden administration recently issued an executive order that focuses on third country banks that help the Russian defense industry. As a result, the US has been working with banks globally to enhance their compliance systems and prevent unintentional involvement in this trade, which could lead to sanctions.
CNN’s Katie Bo Lillis provided additional reporting.
Editor's P/S:
The escalating partnership between China and Russia in the defense industry has raised concerns, particularly due to its impact on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. China's assistance has enabled Russia to revitalize its military capabilities, providing it with essential components and technology. This support has allowed Russia to sustain its war efforts and counter the challenges posed by US sanctions and export controls.
The US administration's recognition of China's significant role in bolstering Russia's defense industry highlights the need for diplomatic efforts to curb this behavior. The Biden administration's recent executive order and discussions with Chinese officials underscore their commitment to preventing further escalation and maintaining regional stability. However, measuring the success of these efforts remains a challenge, as China has remained hesitant to cease its support for Russia. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked military expansion and the importance of international cooperation to address such threats.
