Trade and customs data from June to December 2022 show that Chinese companies exported 1,000 assault rifles and other equipment, such as parts for drones and body armor, to Russian organizations, Politico reported.

One of the companies involved is Da-Jiang Innovations Science & Technology Co. (DJI), which has been under US sanctions since 2021 for helping the Chinese government monitor the persecuted Uyghur community in Xinjiang.

In November and December 2022, DJI sent spare parts for drones, including batteries and cameras, to a Russian company via the United Arab Emirates, Kyiv Independent writes.

According to Politico, in June 2022, China North Industries Group Corporation Limited transferred the rifles to Tekhkrim, a company that does business with the Russian military.

As Politico points out, there is no clear evidence that the shipments were intended for combat, given the “dual-use” nature of these products.

However, in recent weeks, Western countries have expressed increasing concern about China’s potential involvement in the war.

CIA Director Bill Burns said in an interview with CBS News on February 24 that China is considering sending lethal aid to Russia, and has drawn public attention to the issue in hopes of dissuading Beijing from such a decision.

Burns stressed that sending lethal aid to Russia would be a “very risky and reckless venture” for Chinese President Xi Jinping.

On March 2, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged China not to arm Russia, encouraging Beijing instead to “use its influence with Moscow to push for the withdrawal of Russian troops.”

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