Beijing denies helping Moscow evade Western sanctions

The United States and China traded accusations over Beijing's alleged role in the Ukraine conflict during a tense UN Security Council meeting on Friday.

Acting US Ambassador Dorothy Shea accused Beijing of secretly aiding Moscow and urged China to "stop fueling Russia's aggression" in Ukraine.

"Beijing's claim to have implemented strong export controls on dual-use goods falls apart in the face of daily recovery of Chinese-produced components in the drones, weapons, and vehicles that Russia uses against Ukraine," Shea said.

Beijing rejected the allegations, insisting it enforces strict controls on exports.

"China did not start the war in Ukraine, is not a party to the conflict, has never provided lethal weapons, and has always strictly controlled dual-use materials, including the export of drones," Deputy UN Ambassador Geng Shuang told the meeting.

"We urge the US to stop shifting blame on the Ukraine issue or creating confrontation and instead play a more constructive role in promoting a ceasefire and peace talks," he added.

Washington has maintained that Chinese firms are helping Moscow bypass Western sanctions by exporting goods and technologies with potential military applications. US officials have warned that companies linked to Russia's defense sector could face secondary sanctions if such support continues. The US has authorized $175 billion in aid for Ukraine since February 2022.

Beijing has offered to help mediate an end to the conflict and argued that sanctions destabilize global supply chains and harm developing economies. Chinese officials have stressed that attempts to isolate Russia will not bring peace.

Moscow has also rejected claims of Chinese involvement, asserting that its weapons are domestically produced. Russian officials have accused Western nations of exploiting the UN to pressure states that refuse to enforce anti-Russian sanctions, calling such efforts politically motivated and illegal under international law.