New report reveals Chinese arms shipment to Russia

Chinese companies, including at least one connection to the Chinese Communist Party, have been sending Russia assault rifles, drone parts, and body army, according to a new report. 

Data obtained by Politico indicates these shipments to Russia occurred between June and December 2022, well after Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered the invasion of Ukraine. 

The state-owned defence contractor, China North Industries Group Corporation Limited, sent CQ-A rifles to the Russian company Tekhkrim in June 2022, according to customs data. Although these rifles were tagged as "civilian hunting rifles," they’ve been reported to have been used by Chinese paramilitary police. 

The data also showed that Chinese companies had sent Russian entities 12 shipments of drone parts and more than 12 tons of body armour. 

It is not clear from the customs data that Beijing is shipping these items to Russia for the express purpose of aiding its war effort in Ukraine, as this equipment can be labelled as "dual-use." 

Fox News Digital has contacted the US State Department for comments on the latest developments. 

The report comes after officials said last month the US was "confident" China was considering providing lethal aid to Russia to support Moscow’s war against Ukraine. 

The US and its NATO allies have repeatedly warned that any nation – including China – will see swift and severe economic sanctions if they are found aiding Russia’s war effort. 

Beijing has struggled to keep a balance between maintaining constructive relations with the West while condemning the US of "hysterics," as Beijing did over the shooting down of the surveillance balloon and accusing it of escalating the war by providing defensive aid to Ukraine.