Washington - According to a report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the United States has expressed concerns over China providing technology and equipment to Russia, which is currently engaged in a war with Ukraine. The report, titled "Support Provided by the People's Republic of China to Russia," highlights China's role as Russia's most important trading partner, especially after trade with Western countries decreased in 2022.

The report reveals that Chinese state-owned defense companies have been shipping navigation equipment, jamming technology, and fighter-jet parts to Russian government-owned defense companies, despite international sanctions. The report also mentions Russia's use of circuitous routes, including channels through small traders in Hong Kong and mainland China, to acquire chips for its military needs.

China's increased buying from Russia has been triggered by favorable discounts on oil, providing Moscow with much-needed revenue, especially after the Group of Seven (G-7) imposed a price cap on Russian crude in December 2022.

The report further highlights that Russian imports from China rose by 13% to USD 76 billion in 2022, while its exports to China increased by 43% to USD 114 billion. This resulted in a total bilateral trade of USD 190 billion between China and Russia in 2022, marking a significant 30% increase from the previous year.

China is also assisting Moscow in transporting Russian Urals crude to Chinese ports by providing supertankers and insurance coverage, as the G-7 oil price cap restricted the use of Western cargo services and insurance.

The extent of China's involvement in helping Russia evade and circumvent sanctions and export controls remains difficult to ascertain. Nonetheless, PRC firms involved in the shipments have claimed that Russia has turned to China for critical components, providing some protection against the adverse effects of sanctions and export controls.

While the US has raised concerns about China's sale of non-lethal equipment to Russia for use in Ukraine, there have been no signs so far of China providing weapons or lethal military aid to Russia.

Earlier, during the war's outset, China had intentions of selling lethal weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine, but it significantly scaled back on those plans as the conflict progressed, according to US officials.

China has maintained a neutral stance on the war in Ukraine and called for peace, but it has refrained from publicly criticizing Russia's military actions. Both China and Russia have emphasized their cooperation, with the two countries declaring a "boundless" military partnership after a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu in April.