President Joe Biden’s government has warned Chinese leader Xi Jinping of unspecified consequences if he supports the Kremlin’s war drive. According to the latest report, Russian customs data reveals that Chinese state-owned military contractor companies shipped navigation devices, fighter jet parts and other goods, but without clarifying whether there might be retaliation from Washington.
“China maintains normal economic and trade cooperation with countries around the world, including Russia,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said. She added that China-Russia cooperation “does not target third parties and is not subject to interference and coercion from third parties.”
Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin declared before the February 2022 invasion that their governments had a “limitless” friendship. Beijing says it is neutral in the war but has blocked attempts to censor Moscow at the United Nations and echoed Russian justifications for its attack.
China is a “growing powerhouse” for Russia, which “probably provides Moscow with crucial technology and dual-use equipment used in Ukraine,” according to the report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, referring to material for both military as civilian.
China has increased its purchases of Russian oil and gas, helping Putin to offset cut energy sales to the United States, Europe and Japan. It can do so without provoking Western sanctions on its companies, but Washington and its allies are furious that it counteracts pressure on Moscow.
China rejects trade and financial sanctions on Russia because they were not authorized by the UN Security Council, in which Beijing and Moscow have veto power. But China appears to avoid direct violation of those sanctions.
“We consistently oppose unilateral sanctions and far-reaching jurisdiction that are not based on international law and not authorized by the Security Council,” Mao said.
FOUNTAIN: Associated Press
