China has multiplied exports to Russia of goods necessary for the war in Ukraine - WSJ

The Wall Street Journal writes that China continues to supply and has even increased exports to Russia of goods needed to continue the war against Ukraine. This complicates the efforts of the U.S. and Western allies to isolate the aggressor country's economy and weaken its army.

What does this mean?

For example, according to Chinese customs data, shipments of microchips more than doubled in the first five months of 2022 compared to the same period last year, to about $50 million. Exports of other components, such as printed circuit boards, grew by double-digit percentages.

Also important is aluminum oxide, which is used to make metallic aluminum, an important material for weapons and aerospace. In March, Australia banned its exports because of its use in weapons development. Since then, according to Chinese customs data, aluminum oxide exports to Russia have surged, reaching 153,000 tons in May, up from 227 tons in the same month last year. That is 400 times more than the previous figures.

Thus, many chinese equipment sellers continue to cooperate with russia, both small private companies and state-owned enterprises. Due to incomplete data and complex networks of subsidiaries and intermediaries, it is difficult to track all activities.

Researchers at C4ADS, a Washington-based nonprofit that tracks security threats, identified one supplier, the China Poly Group conglomerate, which is controlled by the Chinese central government. Its subsidiaries include a key Chinese arms manufacturer and exporter of small arms and missile technology and, more recently, anti-drone laser technology.

Between 2014 and January 2022, C4ADS researcher Naomi Garcia identified 281 previously undisclosed shipments of goods, which have both civilian and military uses, from Poly subsidiaries to Russian defense organizations. One of the most recent shipments was in late January, and it contained antenna parts for the sub-sanctioned Russian defense company Almaz-Antey, the researchers said. Russian customs records checked by C4ADS show that the antenna parts are for use in a radar that is part of Russia's S-400 surface-to-air missile system. This system was used during the war in Ukraine.

In January, the U.S. State Department imposed sanctions on Poly Technologies for its involvement in the proliferation of missile technology. Sanctions were also imposed on five Chinese companies: Connec Electronic, King Pai Technology, Sinno Electronics, Winninc Electronic and World Jetta (HK) Logistics for supporting the Russian defense and military sectors before and after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

At the same time, Chinese officials say the country does not sell weapons to russia, and overall exports from China to russia have dropped significantly because many Chinese companies do not want to have problems with the United States.

Source: The Wall Street Journal