Hong Kong CNN —
The United States has imposed sanctions on two China-based drone suppliers and their alleged Russian partners, the first sanctions imposed on a Chinese company that supplied complete weapons systems to Russia in the Ukraine war. .
The U.S. government has long accused China of aiding Russia’s war effort by supplying dual-use goods and parts that can be used to make weapons, a charge Beijing denies. However, in an announcement Thursday, the U.S. Treasury Department accused Chinese companies of being directly involved in supplying arms to Moscow.
The Chinese company cooperated with a Russian defense company in the production of Moscow’s long-range unmanned aircraft “Garpiya series”, the ministry said in a statement. It said the drone was designed, developed and manufactured in China before being sent to Russia for use on the battlefield.
“Galpiya was used by Russia in its war against Ukraine, destroying critical infrastructure and inflicting numerous casualties,” the report said.
“The United States has previously imposed sanctions on (Chinese) companies that provide critical information to Russia’s military-industrial base, but also partner with Russian companies to directly develop and produce complete weapons systems (Chinese) ) This is the first time the United States has imposed sanctions on a company.
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The statement accused Xiamen Limback Aircraft Engine Company, based in the coastal city of Xiamen, of manufacturing drone engines for the Garpiya series.
When contacted by CNN on Friday, a sales representative for the company denied making the Garpiya drone engines or exporting any products to Russia.
The United States has accused another sanctioned Chinese company, RedRepass Vector Industry Shenzhen Co., of collaborating with a Russian defense company to facilitate the delivery of drones to Russia.
According to the Ministry of Finance, Redlpass also shipped parts that could be used in drones to Russia, including aircraft engines, parts for automatic data processors, and electrical components, through the Russian defense company TSK Vector.
Redlpass hung up when CNN reached out for comment.
The US also imposed punitive measures against the Russian owner of TSK Vektor and another company he owns. In December of last year, the United States imposed sanctions on TSK Vector for helping Russia acquire attack drones.
“Chinese companies provide parts to Russian companies, which then use them to turn them into machines, weapons, and other parts that Russia can use in war,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters Thursday. I’ve seen it happen,” he said.
“This was the first time I actually saw a Chinese company produce a weapon themselves and then use it on the battlefield by Russia.”
Beijing has previously denied supplying weapons to Russia and insists it has strict controls over such items.
According to Reuters, the Chinese embassy in Washington denied the latest accusations and said China deals responsibly with military exports.
According to Reuters, embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said in a statement: “Just as the United States continues to pour unprecedented military aid into Ukraine, it is also threatening China’s normal trade with Russia. “I’m making accusations,” he said. “This is a classic double standard and extremely hypocritical and irresponsible.”
China’s support for Russia as the Kremlin wages war in Ukraine has become a key point of tension between the two countries, which seek to stabilize their volatile relationship.
Beijing has maintained its neutrality in the more than two-and-a-half year conflict, even as it deepens political, economic and military ties with Moscow. China has become Russia’s largest trading partner and provides a vital lifeline to its heavily sanctioned economy, and the two nuclear-armed neighbors have stepped up joint military exercises in recent months.
Chinese and Russian defense officials vowed to strengthen cooperation during talks in Beijing last week.
According to Russia’s state news agency, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov told Chinese Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia that the two countries “have a common view, a common assessment of the situation, and a common understanding of what we should do together.” I have understanding,” he said. News agency TASS.
