Reports have long circulated that China has been sending everything from vehicles to bullet-proof vests to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine, with the dual-use technology having both civilian and military applications.
The official said that China’s support means that Moscow has “largely reconstituted its defense industrial base, which has an impact not just on the battlefield in Ukraine but poses a larger threat, we believe, to broader European security. “
Officials in the U.S. have this month briefed that China is also shipping parts and microchips used for the production of drones, cruise missiles and armored vehicles. Blinken’s trip runs to Friday, according to the State Department, and is set to include both Shanghai and Beijing.
At a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Capri, Italy, late last week, the West’s top diplomats issued a joint warning to Iran that if it is found to be sending ballistic missiles and related military technology to Russia then it would face further sanctions.
Speaking following the G7 meeting, Blinken said that China is Russia’s “primary contributor” when it comes to industrial support for arms. “We see China sharing machine tools, semiconductors, other dual use items that have helped Russia rebuild the defense industrial base,” Blinken said.