US Sanctions Hit Chinese Companies over Support for Russia’s war in Ukraine

US sanctions have been imposed on over a dozen companies based in China and Hong Kong for their alleged support of Russia’s actions in the conflict in Ukraine.

The move was disclosed as part of a series of nearly 300 new sanctions introduced on Wednesday, as reported by CNN.

The decision follows repeated cautions from senior US officials, such as Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, directed at their counterparts in China, urging them to take measures against the alleged supply of dual-use items to Russia.

The US contends that these items are being utilised to bolster Russia’s military capabilities in its engagement in Ukraine.

A press release from the Treasury Department stated, “The almost 300 targets being sanctioned by both Treasury and the Department of State include sanctions on dozens of actors that have enabled Russia to acquire desperately needed technology and equipment from abroad.”

The sanctioned entities span across Russia, as well as other countries including Azerbaijan, Belgium, Slovakia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

The US sanctions are designed to combat evasion of existing sanctions and to impede support for Russia’s military-industrial complex, along with its programs related to biological and chemical weapons.

Additionally, the Treasury Department has targeted individuals involved in the provision of precursor materials used in explosives to Russia.

According to a fact sheet released by the State Department, its sanctions primarily target Chinese entities involved in the development and supply of dual-use aerospace, manufacturing, and technology equipment to Russian entities.

The fact sheet specifies that these designations aim at producers and exporters critical to Russia’s defense-industrial base, some of whom have supplied goods to entities designated by the US in Russia.

The Biden administration has been increasingly vocal about its concerns regarding China’s purported support for Russia’s defense industry. It asserts that such support has enabled Moscow to sustain its military activities in Ukraine.

As Russia endeavors to rebuild its defence capabilities, the US has been rallying its allies to exert pressure on Beijing through diplomatic channels or, if necessary, punitive measures, to cease its alleged support for Russia.

A senior State Department official remarked before Blinken’s visit to China, “Russia is no longer kind of on its back foot. They are surging. They have substantial assets, they reconstituted. They pose a threat not just to Ukraine but to the wider region.”

Following a series of meetings in Beijing, Secretary Blinken expressed that he had conveyed US concerns regarding China’s support for Russia’s defense industry in detail.

However, he indicated that the US would have to wait and see what actions, if any, would result from these discussions.

Secretary Blinken emphasised the significance of halting China’s support, particularly in supplying components for Russia’s defense industry, which he claimed has had a tangible impact on the conflict in Ukraine and poses a growing threat to European countries.

Despite these diplomatic efforts, there are indications that Beijing remains unmoved by US warnings.

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