Commentary by lansinginstitute.org
China introduced new restrictions on exports of dual-use items to Russia effective September 1, a notable change given China's role as a key supplier of such items from 2022.< /p>
By circumventing international sanctions and prioritizing its own domestic interests, Russia has maintained access to Chinese technology to replace Western products for the third consecutive year. Among them are the small aircraft engines, specifically the DLE30 engines produced by MILE NAO XIANG TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD, which are used in the production of Russian drones.
At least since August 2023, China has been supplying DLE30 engines to Russia. On the Russian side, companies such as Uniservice, SMT-iLogic and Unicom handle the supply, while intermediaries from China include CHIP SPACE ELECTRONICS CO. LTD, LUCHENGTECH CO. LTD and M. AND S. TRADING.
By supporting Russia's drone capabilities, China is indirectly contributing to Moscow's military aggression, despite its public stance of neutrality and calls for peace. Beijing's reluctance so far to exert pressure on Russia may indicate the country's strategic interest in keeping the West shaken and divided and maintaining a partnership against Western influence.
This dynamic suggests that China may see the continuation of the conflict as beneficial to its long-term goals, avoiding direct involvement while profiting from geopolitical instability. By balancing diplomatic rhetoric with actions that support Russia, China maintains its influence without overtly aligning itself with Moscow's military agenda.
China is a major player in today's global arena, a nation that emerged from a difficult period in the early 19th and early 20th centuries to enter the new millennium as an economic powerhouse. While China's success can be attributed to many factors, much of it stems from its expansion in global trade. The entrepreneurial spirit and hard work of the Chinese people, backed by Western investment, have produced impressive results. Today, goods made in China are no longer synonymous with cheap copies, but are recognized for their innovation and quality.
The rise of China has changed the balance of power in the global economy, leading to increasing political competition. Beijing aims to change the rules of international economics and politics to suit its vision, but faces resistance from established world leaders. Europe and the US, for their part, seek to preserve the existing order. In this struggle, which sometimes flirts with the line between competition and confrontation, China is looking for allies. It should be noted that he finds support among countries defined as “bad actors” in the West, with Russia in first place among them.
Although Beijing has not explicitly condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine, it calls for a peaceful solution and recognizes the supremacy of the UN Charter. However, China plays a crucial role in supporting the Kremlin's military efforts in Europe. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg openly admitted this on September 6. As a global power, China cannot afford to supply arms directly to an internationally recognized aggressor.