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China condemns US sanctions on drone makers, claims it’s not arming Russia

October 18, 2024

By Ukraine

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China has strongly criticized the United States for imposing new sanctions on drone manufacturers accused of collaborating with Russia, while firmly denying any transfer of lethal weapons to Moscow.

The US’ October 17 sanctions mark the first time the US has targeted Chinese entities directly involved in weapons production for Russia. China has previously provided indirect support to Russia by supplying dual-use technologies such as microelectronics, drones, and geospatial intelligence, raising Western concerns, with earlier sanctions targeting Chinese suppliers of dual-use goods to Russia.

At a press conference on 18 October, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that China “resolutely opposes the US’s imposition of illegal unilateral sanctions on Chinese companies” and “absolutely does not accept the US’s groundless accusations and pressure,” as reported by China News.

Mao Ning claimed that China “is not the creator or party to the Ukrainian crisis” – Beijing’s traditional term for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. She claimed that China “has never provided lethal weapons to either side of the Russia-Ukraine conflict” and “strictly controls dual-use items, including drone exports.”

The spokesperson further asserted that China opposes the use of civilian drones for military purposes and has allegedly been playing a constructive role in promoting a political solution.

US sanctions

On 17 October, the US Department of Treasury sanctioned three entities and one individual involved in developing and producing Russia’s Garpiya drones, deployed in its war against Ukraine.

Reuters: Russia has secret war drones project in China

The Treasure says the drones are manufactured in collaboration with Chinese firms, with components produced in China and transferred to Russia for military use. This marks the first time the US has targeted Chinese entities directly involved in weapons production for Russia.

Mao Ning urged the US to “immediately stop smearing and pressuring China over the Ukraine issue” and to cease “abusing illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction against Chinese entities and individuals.”

Previously, on 28 September, The Times reported that NATO had evidence of weapons being supplied to Russia by Chinese companies, referring to an anonymous source.

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