Prospects for Russia-China arms trade growing despite US sanctions
(Baonghean.vn) - Russia's arms sales prospects to China show no signs of waning despite US sanctions, after Beijing and Moscow signed new arms contracts at a major air show taking place in China.
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| Russia's relationship with China is closer than ever. Photo: Getty |
Rosoboronexport, Russia's state arms importer and exporter, said it signed three more arms contracts with China during the Zhuhai air show, held in China's Guangdong province from November 6 to 9.
"Rosoboronexport hopes that participation in this exhibition will give an additional impetus to the positive trend in Russian-Chinese relations in the field of military-technical cooperation," said General Director Alexander Mikheev.
In September, the US imposed sanctions on the Chinese military for purchasing fighter jets and missile systems from Russia, violating a law punishing Russia for its alleged interference in the 2016 US election.
Despite the sanctions, Rosoboronexport spokesman Vladimir Kryuchkov said that China-Russia arms deals are still being discussed.
According to Mr. Kryuchkov, this partnership also extends from the initial procurement of weapons to high-tech research and development. Mr. Kryuchkov stressed: "If the US sanctions have any impact on our cooperation with China, it will only be for the better. Our relations with China are closer than ever."
Mr. Kryuchkov expressed his joy at seeing China's improvement in the field of domestically produced weapons technology, and did not believe that this progress could reduce Beijing's demand for Russian products, such as military aircraft engines, which make up a large share of Russia's exports to China.
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| The US imposed sanctions on the Chinese military for purchasing Su-35 fighter jets from Russia in 2017. Photo: AP |
Meanwhile, Mr. Viktor Kladov, representative of the Russian delegation attending the Zhuhai air show, announced that Russia will complete the delivery of Su-35 fighter jets and S-400 air defense systems by 2020 at the latest.
In addition, Russia may also establish a maintenance center in China for S-300 and S-400 missile systems.
"I am pleased that any attempts by third countries to interfere in relations between our two countries do not bring the desired results, and the Chinese side considers these attempts a factor of unfair competition," said Dmitry Shugaev, director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation.