CCP Signals It Won’t Stop Aiding Russian War Effort After US Issues Sweeping Sanctions

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a ceremony to launch several new facilities of the metallurgical industry in Russia's regions via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence, outside Moscow, on July 15, 2024. Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

A Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson on Aug. 25 stated that the Chinese communist regime would “take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises,” after the United States sanctioned Chinese companies found to be aiding the Russian military in its war with Ukraine, according to state media Xinhua.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Department of State on Aug. 23 announced it had targeted nearly 400 entities and individuals aiding Russia’s war effort. Several of the Chinese companies sanctioned were found to have been selling machine parts and technological equipment like chips used in military equipment to Russian entities that were already blacklisted. Forty-two Chinese companies were put on a trade restriction list.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has sided with Russia in the war from the outset, responding only evasively to U.S. diplomats’ calls that it recognize the sovereignty of nations and cease its aid of Russian war efforts. Friday’s sanctions revealed broad efforts on the U.S. government’s part to block American and foreign money from bolstering the Russian military. Individuals and entities targeted went beyond direct suppliers of funds, weapons, and tech to the Russian military and also included Russia’s metal and mining industry, which would dampen Russia’s financial sector.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce described these as “wrong actions” and claimed the sanctions were made with “so-called Russia-related excuses.”

According to the U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission, the CCP has not only refused to stop aiding Russian war efforts, but has sought to undermine international sanctions on Russia.

After the United States and United Kingdom issued sanctions blocking the import of Russian copper, the CCP imported Russian copper disguised as scrap metal, according to a Reuters investigation.

After senior U.S. officials disclosed that most of the microchips used in Russian military tanks, missiles, and aircraft were imported from China, CCP officials said that they had “not provided weaponry to any party.”

The United States issued its first round of sanctions on Russia in February 2022, shortly after which CCP officials stated they would engage in normal trade with Russia. The CCP has continued to finance and sell Russia materials needed for military equipment throughout 2022, 2023, and 2024.

In 2021, the CCP passed its Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, claiming it gives the CCP authority to implement countermeasures and retaliation for what it views as “discriminatory restrictive measures ... to contain or suppress our nation.”