China’s deliveries to Russia came under the global spotlight when a top French diplomat commented on how it could be used by the latter in its war with Ukraine, at the Aspen Security Forum on Thursday. Emmanuel Bonne, the head of French President Emmanuel Macron’s Diplomatic team at the Elysee Palace, was asked whether the West has any evidence of China’s aid to arm Russia, to which he responded, “There are indications that they’re doing things that we prefer them not to do”. On being asked what China should not do, Bonne commented that the West would not want China to provide any weapons or economic support to the nation.
Photo Source: New York Times; Credit: Alexander Zemlianichenko/Associated Press
The Assistance from China
China had repeatedly denied providing military equipment to Russia since Ukraine’s invasion began in February 2022. China has been delivering dual-use technologies and non-lethal assistance like helmets and body armor to Russia, which indirectly empowers the latter in the war. According to Bonne, China is not making massive military capacities but they’d rather prefer no deliveries at all from the nation. Even the supply of counter-offensives cannot go unnoticed, “What we need the most is Chinese abstention,” said the diplomat, he further has that China needs to understand that the Russia-Ukraine war is a conflict of global magnitude. Ukraine’s loss would be for reasons of principle as well as operational, both being something the world can’t afford.
Earlier Allegations
Moscow had been seeking military aid from Beijing for months now. On February 4th, the Wall street journal reported that as per customs records, China’s state-owned companies are providing Russia with navigation equipment, fighter-jet parts, and jamming technologies. Bill Burns, a CIA Director also stated that China is considering supplying Moscow with lethal arms. However, Qin Gang, The Chinese Foreign Minister, denied all these claims in April. The US had warned and strongly condemned the activities of China back then. And even now, a spokesperson from the White House National Security Council expressed the concerns of the US officials with regard to the level of battlefield impact China’s deliveries could make. China is yet to respond to the claims made by France this time.
“It is necessary to establish a solid kind of negotiation framework with far-reaching partners like India and China, countries that can influence and can guarantee a solid peace”
Emmanuel Bonne, Head of French President Macron’s Diplomat team.
A Global Way Forward
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution in February 2024 that Russia should stop the unjust invasion of Ukraine. The resolution had 141 member states vote in favor and 7 against. China, Pakistan, and India were among the 32 abstentions. However, all the condemnation and criticism has had no effect whatsoever on Vladimir Putin who turned a deaf ear to all the demands and requests. Despite Ukraine’s requests for the involvement of India, the country has been steadfast in keeping diplomatic ties with both. At the same time, the nation has also called for an immediate cessation of violence and hostilities during the initial months of the war.
China’s aid, no matter how small, will have significant implications on the war field. China’s dramatic military modernization is what Russia needs right now.
France reflected on how they don’t have evidence yet to demonstrate that China is their credible partner. On a diplomatic note, the French diplomat said that China’s assistance will definitely not be a solution for the Russia-Ukraine war, and it’ll only happen if Putin withdraws his forces or if Ukraine beats the Russians to the ground. “It is necessary to establish a solid kind of negotiation framework with far-reaching partners like India and China, countries that can influence and can guarantee a solid peace” urged Bonne.
