China's Support Fuels Russia's Military and Economy

Chinese companies are playing a significant role in supporting Russia's war-torn economy and bolstering its military capabilities, with bilateral trade between the two countries reaching a record high of $190 billion in 2022. Western officials are concerned that this economic boost, along with the trade of specific goods, is aiding Moscow's war in Ukraine. Chinese companies continue to supply drones, helmets, vests, and radios to Russia, providing a lifeline for President Vladimir Putin's prolonged war of attrition. While Beijing insists that its trade with Moscow is "normal economic cooperation," critics argue that the Chinese government is aware of these trade flows and allows them to continue.