Russian Arms Transport Ship Angara Arrives at Chinese Port Despite US Warnings
Amid heightened Sino-Russian interactions, Vladimir Putin has scheduled a visit to China in May.
A growing relationship between China and Russia has garnered global attention, especially with recent events such as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to China and stern warnings to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Notable diplomatic and military engagements have taken place, including in-person talks between the defense ministers of both countries, an upcoming visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to China in May, and the presence of a Russian arms transport ship in China for repairs.
The Russian ship Angara, known for ferrying weapons between Russia and North Korea, was found docked in Zhoushan, China, on April 25. According to reports by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), the Angara has been transporting containers, suspected to hold North Korean ammunition, to Russian ports since last August.
The State Department’s deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel emphasized the United States’ concern over the growing collaboration between Russia and China, particularly regarding support for Russia’s defense industry. He stated that appropriate steps would be taken to hold relevant actors accountable.
The Angara has been undergoing repairs at the Xinya Shipyard in Zhoushan, Zhejiang, since February. Recent satellite imagery from Planet Labs PBC confirms the presence of the Angara at the shipyard. The ship’s transponder, used for tracking, was briefly activated while navigating through the Korean Strait for security reasons.
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According to RUSI, the Angara entered Chinese waters on Feb. 9 for maintenance or repairs. It had previously visited North Korean and Russian ports in January, deactivating its transponder during these stops. The transponder was turned off again upon arrival in China.
Since August 2023, RUSI has tracked at least 11 trips by the Angara between North Korea’s Rajin Port and various Russian ports to monitor North Korea’s circumvention of sanctions. Starting from May 2022, the vessel has been sanctioned by the U.S.
Furthermore, two Russian firms associated with owning and operating the Angara have been under U.S. sanctions since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Despite these complexities, the Chinese Embassy in Washington stated it was unaware of specific details regarding the Angara, noting that the CCP opposes unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that lack basis in international law or Security Council mandates.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions, as the United States and other nations condemn North Korea’s weapon transfers to Russia, citing violations of UN Security Council resolutions.
Intensifying Sino-Russian Military Cooperation
During a meeting of defense ministers from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in Kazakhstan on April 25, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun engaged in a significant discussion. This marked Mr. Dong’s first in-person meeting with Mr. Shoigu since taking office at the end of the previous year.
Reports indicate that Mr. Dong emphasized the importance of high-level military interactions between China and Russia in navigating the evolving international landscape for global strategic stability. Mr. Shoigu echoed this sentiment, underscoring the necessity of their military cooperation, including joint naval, land, and air exercises, for maintaining global and regional stability.
Mr. Shoigu attributed current geopolitical tensions to Western “geopolitical escapades and selfish neocolonial activities.” He highlighted the unprecedented level of cooperation between Russia and China, rooted in equality, mutual trust, and respect for core interests. He expressed that this meeting would further enhance strategic defense collaboration between the two nations.
The visit may be Mr. Putin’s first international trip after his re-election, adding to its significance. With Mr. Putin set to begin his fifth six-year term after an inauguration ceremony on May 7, the upcoming journey to Beijing holds importance.
Despite facing international isolation due to the conflict in Ukraine, Mr. Putin’s reliance on Beijing for support across various fronts has increased, including politically, economically, and diplomatically.
Heightened Diplomatic Tensions, Western Warnings
Recent U.S. assessments reveal an increase in Chinese exports to Russia, supplying technologies and materials such as machine tools, microelectronics, and other components that enhance Russia’s military capability. Despite this, China presents a neutral image and seeks to control the narrative surrounding its interactions with Russia.
During a press conference on April 26, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin dismissed allegations of supplying microelectronic products and satellite technology to Russia as baseless attempts to shift conflicts. Mr. Wang claimed that trade relations between China and Russia were normal and controversially stated that over sixty percent of components in Russian weapons come from the United States and Western countries.
Nevertheless, the discrepancy between public declarations and actions by the CCP has eroded trust among Western nations, particularly the United States and NATO.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg issued a warning to the CCP on April 25, stating that to maintain favorable relations with Western countries, China must cease its support for Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
The warning coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to China from April 24 to 26. During his visit, Mr. Blinken met with top Chinese officials, including Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Speculation suggests that Mr. Blinken delivered a definitive ultimatum to the CCP regarding its support for Russia.
In a press briefing on the final day of his visit, Mr. Blinken firmly stated that Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine could not be sustained without China’s support. He warned of potential action if China did not address the issue.
Faced with a strong stance from the United States, the CCP seemed to adjust its approach, moving away from aggressive diplomacy and focusing on promoting a narrative of friendship between China and the U.S.
