US officials have revealed that China is actively assisting Russia in its significant military expansion efforts, marking the most substantial such undertaking since the Soviet era. The disclosure comes amid rising concerns over the situation in Ukraine.
US officials aim to leverage this intelligence to urge European allies to pressure China, particularly as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz prepares to visit Beijing and G7 foreign ministers plan to convene in Italy.
According to US findings, China is providing assistance to Russia across various domains, including joint production of drones, space-based capabilities, and crucial exports of machine tools essential for manufacturing ballistic missiles.
A senior US official emphasized that China's support has been instrumental in revitalizing Russia's defense industrial base, which had faced setbacks since the invasion of Ukraine. This military expansion by Russia is described as its most ambitious since the Soviet era, and it is progressing at a faster pace than initially anticipated.
The official underscored the importance of persuading China to cease its assistance to Russia, as Russia heavily relies on Chinese input to sustain its war efforts.
US officials highlighted that China supplied the majority of machine tools imported by Russia in late 2023, likely used in ballistic missile production, as well as a significant portion of microelectronics imports used in various military applications.
Despite warnings from the US, China has refrained from directly providing weapons to Russia, instead focusing on sending materials with ostensibly non-military uses.
The Biden administration hopes that dialogue with European allies and direct engagement with China can help contain tensions and address concerns about China's support for Russia. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to discuss this issue during the G7 talks in Italy and his upcoming visit to China.
As Ukraine faces challenges on the battlefield, with ammunition shortages and delays in US support, the US remains committed to holding China accountable for its role in Russia's military expansion.
