How is China supporting Russia after it was sanctioned for Ukraine war?

Sanctions announced by Washington in May, external targeted about 20 firms based in China and Hong Kong. It said one exported components for drones, while the others have allegedly assisted Moscow in bypassing Western sanctions on other technologies.

“There is evidence that China is the biggest exporter of semiconductors – often through shell companies in Hong Kong and the UAE – to Russia,” Maria Shagina, of UK-based think tank the International Institute of Strategic Studies, said.

“Some Chinese companies are also supplying civilian drones, exploiting the grey space between military and civilian purposes.”

China defends its trade with Moscow, external by saying it is not selling lethal arms and “prudently handles the export of dual-use items in accordance with laws and regulations”. Beijing exports more than $300m, external worth of dual-use items – those that have both commercial and military applications – to Russia every month, according to an analysis of Chinese customs data by the think tank Carnegie Endowment. It says the list includes what the US has designated as “high priority” items, which are necessary for making weapons, from drones to tanks.

RUSI, a UK-based think tank has also cautioned about the potential use of Chinese satellite technology, external for intelligence on Ukraine’s front line.