China refutes claims of weapons sales to Russia

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has strongly denied accusations that it has been supplying weapons to Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

During a regular briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian addressed the allegations made by Ukrainian officials, who claimed that China had provided Russia with materials such as gunpowder and artillery systems, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media. 

Lin stated that China had never provided lethal weapons to any party involved in the conflict and had always strictly controlled the export of dual-use products. He went on to emphasise that Beijing firmly opposes unfounded accusations and political manipulation. The Chinese government’s stance is in line with its long-standing policy of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other countries, which it consistently upholds on the international stage. Lin’s comments aim to dispel the growing concerns about China's potential involvement in the ongoing war, particularly as it maintains close diplomatic relations with Russia.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that China was supplying weapons and gunpowder to Russia, the first time he has openly accused Beijing of direct military assistance for Moscow.

The Ukrainian leader said at a press conference that his government also had intelligence that China was producing weapons on Russian territory and that he would be able to provide more details next week.

China, which has the world's second-largest economy, has had close economic relations with Russia during Moscow's three-year war in Ukraine. But it has sought to project an image of neutrality and denies any involvement in the war. For Kyiv, direct Chinese supplies of weaponry for Russia would mark a major departure from that position. 

"We finally have information that China is supplying weapons to the Russian Federation," Zelenskyy said in Kyiv, referring specifically to "artillery," without specifying if he meant shells, artillery systems or both.

"We believe that Chinese representatives are engaged in the production of some weapons on the territory of Russia," Zelenskyy said, without elaborating.

By Naila Huseynova