The latest compound is sold through subsidiaries of Norinco, a state-owned arms maker, in order to cover its trail, Western officials told The Economist
China continues to declare itself neutral in the war between China and Russia, but has helped Moscow in its war effort.
According to The Economist, Beijing is now the largest supplier of FPV drones and their components, widely used on the battlefront, to the country led by Vladimir Putin.
China is also a major supplier of microelectronic components and semiconductors. According to the think tank Jamestown Foundation, cited by the newspaper, about 90% of all machine tools imported by Russia come from China.
Moscow also depends heavily on Beijing for the supply of nitrocellulose, a highly flammable compound used in artillery shells and missiles, for example.
China’s sale of this compound to Russia is done through subsidiaries of Norinco, a state-owned arms manufacturer, in order to cover its trail, Western officials told The Economist.
