China supplied rifles and body armor to Russia in 2022, Politico reports
Xi Jinping (Photo:REUTERS/Tingshu Wang)
Chinese companies delivered 1,000 assault rifles, body armor, and spare drone parts to Russian clients in 2022, Politico reported on March 16, citing international customs data aggregator ImportGenius.
One of the largest state defense contractors in China, China North Industries Group Corporation Limited, sent CQ-A rifles, which are modeled after the U.S. M16 assault rifle, designated as “civilian hunting rifles,” to Russian company Tekhkrim in June 2022.
According to customs data, Russian companies also received 12 shipments of drone parts and more than 12 tons of Chinese-made body armor, transferred through Turkey. Politico also found out that China supplies Russian companies with dual-use equipment, which can be used for military purposes.
Chinese company Da-Jiang Innovations Science & Technology Co. (DJI), which is under U.S. sanctions, also shipped drone components to a Russian distributor in November-December 2022.
Customs data also indicate that in December 2022, Russia managed to import more than $10 million worth of body armor manufactured by Turkish company Ariteks. Most of them were imported from Turkey, some went through the UAE. Russia also imported body armor from Chinese company Xinxing Guangzhou Import & Export Co.
Politico also found that the Russian state company RosOboronExport has been importing microchips, thermal visors, and parts such as gas turbine engines in 2022 “from countries ranging from China, to Serbia, to Myanmar.”
The United States and its allies have repeatedly stated in recent weeks that China was considering supplying weapons to Russia. According to U.S. media reports, potential list of supplies includes drones, ammunition, and artillery. Beijing officials denied these reports.
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