It is well known that the CCP regime has undermined the international community’s economic sanctions against Russia by providing funds and weapons to Moscow, thereby significantly prolonging the Russia-Ukraine war.
This Russia-Ukraine war has been the largest military expansion initiated by Moscow since the end of the Cold War. The CCP has provided Russia with crucial technologies for producing high-end weapons, including machine tools, microelectronics, turbojet drone engines, cruise missile technology, and nitrocellulose, which have been promptly deployed in the Ukrainian battlefield.
By providing funding and exports, China has greatly supported Russia’s production of missiles, tanks, and aircraft. Chinese companies have supplied Moscow with mortar drones capable of carrying 120mm shells. Russia has even used drone engines purchased from Alibaba’s cross-border e-commerce platform, AliExpress.
Many Chinese companies have been exporting optical components for tanks and armored vehicles to Russia, such as Wuhan Global Sensor Technology Company, Wuhan Tongsheng Technology Company, and Hikvision. Other Chinese companies, like iRay Technology and the North China Research Institute of Electro-Optics, have been supplying military-grade optical components for armored vehicles to Moscow. Since 2021, Russia’s imports of Chinese semiconductors have more than doubled.
The international community’s reluctance to sell advanced technology to Russia has proven to be a boon for the CCP. Currently, China accounts for 90% of Russia’s microelectronics imports. In addition, the import of nitrocellulose from China has nearly tripled Russia’s production of artillery ammunition compared to the US and Europe, as nitrocellulose is an essential highly flammable compound for explosives.
Furthermore, the CCP’s multifaceted support has enabled Russia to maintain its assembly lines running at full speed to produce weapons. Meanwhile, Ukraine is facing shortages of weapons and ammunition. Another advantage for Russia is that the war is not taking place within its borders, making it easier to keep factories operational. In contrast, Ukraine is the battleground, with its factories and power plants vulnerable to Russian attacks.
The negative impact of conscripting young people for the war in Ukraine is likely greater than in Russia. With a population of 144 million, Russia vastly outnumbers Ukraine, which has a population of only 38 million. Currently, approximately 1 million Ukrainians (including volunteers and conscripts) are serving in the military. In December last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an expansion of the Russian military to 1.3 million troops. This means more and a larger proportion of young Russians can work in factories producing military equipment. Furthermore, China’s factories and comprehensive support provide Russia with a significant advantage in weapons production.
With the import of military equipment from China, along with lucrative trade with China and investments, Russia’s military machine has now been restored to pre-war levels. The Russia-Ukraine war is a war of attrition. The US and its allies have been supporting Ukraine to resist as much as possible, aiming to wear down the will of the Russian people. They hope to cripple the Russian economy through economic sanctions while depleting Russia’s military hardware, ammunition, and personnel through a prolonged war. Ultimately, Putin will no longer have the capacity to continue the war. However, the CCP’s support has proven to be a lifeline for Moscow.
The CCP’s comprehensive support to Russia’s economy and military manufacturing has triggered a non-traditional arms race, directly pitting the US and its allies against the CCP regime in terms of war expenditures. Russia uses Chinese funding to support its economic and industrial strength, while the financial aid from pro-Ukraine countries adds to the economic and industrial burden. Additionally, the substantial profits earned from trade with Russia contribute to the CCP’s economic expansion. Simultaneously, ongoing trade with Moscow and diplomatic support at the United Nations provide China with access to low-cost energy, enabling it to offer its goods at lower prices compared to countries purchasing oil and energy at global market prices.
Financial losses in Western countries, coupled with the increasing militarization of Russia, have made Europe and the world less secure. Beijing’s powerful satellite and espionage capabilities also aid Russia, enhancing Beijing’s intelligence gathering ability and increasing the spy threat from the CCP.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the White House issued a warning to the CCP in a statement: “We continue to monitor any company, including those affiliated with the CCP, that plays a role in Russian military procurement.” The US is well aware of the role played by the CCP in the Russia-Ukraine war.
President Joe Biden has also issued a warning to the CCP and convened a meeting with American allies to discuss how to cut off China’s support to Russia. However, the wheels of international justice turn very slowly. Experience has repeatedly shown that CCP companies almost immediately find ways to circumvent any new restrictions imposed by the international community, with minimal impact on reducing Russia’s access to weapons and ammunition.
As Ukraine is fighting a defensive battle and seems unwilling to invade and occupy Russian territory, the only way to end this war is for Putin to withdraw, a scenario that will only occur when he deems that Russia no longer has the capacity to continue. The CCP’s continuous support to Russia is pushing this possibility further into the distant and uncertain future, a date that may never come.
This translation and rewrite of the news article was done for reference by English-speaking readers.