US imposes sanctions on Chinese companies for supporting Russian military during Ukraine war: China: Business Times

The United States has imposed a new set of sanctions on more than 300 entities, including more than a dozen Chinese companies, for their alleged support of Russia’s military and defense industries during the ongoing war in Ukraine. The sanctions, announced Wednesday by the Treasury and State Departments, are aimed at disrupting Russia’s war effort by targeting its military-industrial base and the evasion networks that help supply it.

Among the nearly 300 sanctioned targets are Chinese “entities responsible for developing and supplying dual-use space, manufacturing and technology equipment to Russia-based entities,” according to a State Department fact sheet. These companies are accused of sending goods to US-designated entities in Russia, helping to strengthen Moscow’s defense capabilities.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen emphasized the importance of the sanctions, saying they will “further disrupt and worsen Russia’s war effort by going after the military-industrial base and the evasion networks that help supply it.” The move comes after repeated warnings from top US officials, including Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, to Chinese officials about the need to crack down on Chinese supplies of dual-use items to Russia.

In addition to Chinese companies, the sanctions also target entities in Russia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Slovakia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. These penalties are intended to deter the sanctioned companies from using the U.S. financial system and prevent U.S. citizens from doing business with them.

The Biden administration is increasingly concerned about China’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base, which the US says has allowed Moscow to continue its war against Ukraine. As Russia rebuilds its defense capabilities, the US has sought to rally allies to pressure Beijing to stop providing this support, either through diplomatic means or, if necessary, punitive measures.

“Russia is no longer walking on its hind legs,” a senior State Department official said before Blinken’s trip to China. “They are on the rise. They have substantial assets, which they have rebuilt. They pose a threat not only to Ukraine, but to the wider region.”

Despite the US warnings, there is little indication that Beijing plans to change course. Blinken, who recently met with Chinese officials in Beijing, said he was “extremely clear about our concerns in detail” regarding China’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base, but added that “we’ll have to see what actions result from it.”

In addition to sanctions on Chinese companies, the US Senate also gave final approval to legislation banning Russian uranium imports, further intensifying efforts to disrupt Russia’s war in Ukraine. The bill, which is expected to be signed by President Biden, aims to reduce U.S. dependence on Russian uranium, which currently accounts for about 12% of the uranium used to produce electricity in U.S. nuclear power plants.

The uranium import ban is expected to impact Russian revenues by at least $1 billion and has been praised by lawmakers from both parties. Sen. John Barrasso, a Republican from Wyoming, called the ban “a huge victory” that “will help dismantle the Russian war machine, revive U.S. uranium production and boost investment in the U.S. nuclear fuel supply chain.”

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