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.
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
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.
Related:
- Five Republican senators criticize Orban for friendship with Russia and China
- Swiss ambassador denies Switzerland’s support for China-Brazil “peace plan” for Ukraine
- Stoltenberg: NATO states should support Ukraine’s peace plan, not China’s
- Reuters: Russia has secret war drones project in China
- US and EU reiterate transatlantic concern over Chinese support for Russia’s war against Ukraine
- ISW: Russia and China develop military-technical cooperation
- ISW: Russia relies on India, Serbia, China to evade sanctions
