नवीनतम
China plays backstop to Russia's war against Ukraine
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: China insists it "has always maintained an objective and impartial position" on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Yet, contrary to these words of assurance, China is aiding and abetting Russia's war of aggression against the Ukrainian people. The rhetoric from China is sharply at odds with its actions. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman claimed last year that "As for military item exports, China has throughout adopted a prudent and responsible attitude". However, such statements are laughable in the face of mounting evidence that says otherwise.
As violence flares in the Middle East, exacerbated by Iran's barrage against Israel, some are naively suggesting that China should help mediate there too. As J. Michael Cole, Senior Advisor, Countering Foreign Authoritarian Influence at the Washington DC-based International Republican Institute, commented: "That sure hasn't worked with Russia over its war of aggression against Ukraine. Nor did it work with North Korea. When will the world stop living under the illusion that Beijing will be a partner for peace?" Disclosing previously classified intelligence, senior US officials have claimed that China is helping bankroll Russia's resurgent military-industrial complex.
After starting cautiously after Vladimir Putin's invasion, China has been gradually ramping up clandestine support for Russia. It is helping plug gaps by rebuilding Russia's defence industrial base. Indeed, there is alarm that Russia is now achieving its most massive military-industrial expansion since the end of the Cold War. For instance, General Chris Cavoli, commander of the US European Command, recently testified that Russia has been "quite successful" at reconstituting its military.
Indeed, its capacity has largely "grown back" to what it was pre-invasion despite Western sanctions. President Joe Biden raised precisely this issue with Chairman Xi Jinping in a phone call on 2 April. According to a US readout of the conversation, Biden "raised concerns over the People's Republic of China's [PRC] support for Russia's defence industrial base and its impact on European and transatlantic security". There is now a concerted message from US government officials alleging that China is largely responsible for this build-up in Russia's defence industry.
As one example, Moscow is now able to produce three times the artillery ammunition that the USA and Europe combined can.
