White House: No ‘Firm Confirmation’ That China Is Sending Assault Weapons, Body Armor to Russia

WASHINGTON—Chinese companies, including ones with direct links to the regime in Beijing, are reportedly sending assault rifles, body armor, and drone parts to Russia. According to Politico, 1,000 assault rifles and other equipment from China were exported to Moscow by Chinese companies. This could have been used in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

When asked about these claims, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that there is no firm evidence that China is sending lethal weapons that could result in sanctions against the regime or Chinese entities.

“I’ve seen that press reporting, but I can’t confirm that,” Kirby stated this to The Epoch Times. “We don’t think that China has taken lethal assistance off the table, but we haven’t seen firm confirmation that they’re moving in that direction.”

Politico based on data from ImportGenius (a customs data aggregator), reported that the shipment occurred between June 2022 and December 2022. Some of the shipments passed through Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

For example, Russian company Tekhkrim imported rifles made by China North Industries Group Corporation Limited in June 2022. This is a large-state-owned defense contractor. In late 2022, Russian companies also received 12 shipments from China of drone parts and more than 12 tons of body armour via Turkey.

China provides Russian companies with commercial goods that could be used in the conflict with Ukraine. It is not clear if Moscow uses any of the rifles in the shipment records.

Chinese drone maker Da-Jiang Innovations (DJI) announced in April last year that it would suspend its business activities in both Russia and Ukraine as it opposed the use of civilian drones on the battlefield. However, DJI did send drone parts via the UAE to a small Russian distributor in November and December 2022, according to customs data.

Since 2021, the U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned the company for supplying drones to the Chinese regime in order to monitor the Uyghur population in the Xinjiang area.

It is not clear whether these shipments would be considered by the Biden administration as Beijing providing military aid to Russia. When asked if this would be sufficient evidence to sanction China, Kirby agreed with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

“There would be ramifications if they decided to provide lethal assistance. But again, we haven’t seen them do that yet. And so, I don’t want to get ahead of where we are,” Kirby stated.

Biden’s administration has expressed concerns that communist China could provide lethal aid to Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Blinken warned on Feb. 19 that any attempt by China, to provide Russia with assistance, would result in China being banned “lethal support” Use in Ukraine could have grave consequences

“We have seen them provide non-lethal support to Russia for use in Ukraine,” Interview with CBS: Blinken

“The concern that we have now is based on information we have that they’re considering providing lethal support, and we’ve made very clear to them that that would cause a serious problem for us and in our relationship.”