Flags of China and Russia are shown in this file photo taken March 24, 2022. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration
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WASHINGTON, June 30 (Reuters) – The United States has not seen China evade sanctions or provide military equipment to Russia, a senior U.S. official said on Thursday, adding that enforcement measures taken earlier in the week targeted certain Chinese companies, not to the government.
The Commerce Department added five companies in China to a trade blacklist on Tuesday for allegedly supporting Russia’s military and defense industrial base as Moscow wages its war in Ukraine. Read more
U.S. officials have warned of consequences, including sanctions, if China offers material support for Russia’s military effort, but have consistently said they have yet to detect overt Chinese military and economic support for Moscow.
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“China does not provide material support. It’s a normal course of business enforcement action against entities that have been filling in for Russia,” a senior Biden administration official told Reuters, referring to the Commerce blacklist.
“We have not seen the PRC (People’s Republic of China) engage in systematic concealment or providing military equipment to Russia,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The United States has joined its allies in punishing Russian President Vladimir Putin for what Moscow calls a “special operation” invasion, sanctioning a host of Russian companies and oligarchs and adding others to a trade blacklist.
China has refused to condemn Russia’s actions and has criticized broad Western sanctions against Moscow. Beijing also says it has not provided military aid to Russia or Ukraine, but that it will take “necessary measures” to protect the rights of its companies.
The Commerce Department’s action means US suppliers need a license before they can supply items to registered companies. But the department also targeted dozens of other organizations, including some in allied countries such as the United Kingdom and Lithuania.
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Reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Stephen Coates
Our standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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