Beijing and Moscow step up military, intelligence, machinery, and space cooperation, US warns

Amid signs of continued military cooperation between China and Russia, China has provided satellite imagery, microelectronics, machine tools for tanks, optics, propellants for missiles, and increased space cooperation to Russia, according to informed sources.

During a call on April 2, President Joe Biden expressed concerns to Chinese President Xi Jinping about Beijing’s support for the Russian defense industry, including machine tools, optics, nitrocellulose, microelectronics, and turbojet engines, according to White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson.

Despite portraying itself as mostly neutral in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China has deepened its alliance with Moscow, reaching a record $240 billion in trade in 2023. Russia has become a major supplier to China, while China and Hong Kong serve as gateways for Moscow to access restricted technologies, including chips and integrated circuits used in weapons.

Last year, the Biden administration sanctioned a Chinese company for providing satellite images to a Russian technology firm, which then supplied them to the Wagner mercenary group.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken briefed European allies on China’s support for Russia and urged them to directly address the issue with China and take actions against Chinese entities and companies. The US and its allies plan to convey their concerns to Beijing and intensify efforts to crack down on China’s support for Russia’s defense industry.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned of “significant consequences” for companies, including those in China, found to provide material support for Russia’s war against Ukraine and its military-industrial base.

The Biden administration had previously cautioned Beijing against providing weapons to Russia, but there is no evidence that China has done so thus far.