Did China Support Russian Arms? Evidence of Rocket Warhead Production Line Exported to Belarus

Nikkei Obtains Documents Related to the Contract
Likely to Influence Future U.S. and European Policy Toward China

Evidence has emerged that a Chinese state-owned enterprise has exported a large-scale rocket warhead production line to Belarus, a Russian ally. This runs counter to China’s previously stated position that it would not be involved in supporting Russia in connection with the war in Ukraine. The likelihood is increasing that the United States and Europe will step up pressure on China.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) reported on the 23rd that it had obtained documents related to export-import contracts between Chinese and Belarusian companies.

A Russian tank unit is conducting maneuver training in Luhansk, formerly Ukrainian territory. Yonhap News.

According to the documents, China National Electronics Import & Export Corporation (CEIEC), a Chinese state-owned enterprise, signed this contract with ZTEM, a Belarusian state-owned defense company, in Beijing on December 20, 2023. The contract stipulates that CEIEC will design and supply a production line for 122 mm rocket warhead components. The newly established production line is reportedly responsible for the main process of filling the warheads with explosives such as TNT.

The contract specifies that ZTEM will pay 26.8 million dollars (38.6 billion won) in yuan. It also states that Chinese experts will be dispatched to the Belarusian plant to participate in manufacturing 500 prototype rounds, and that they will then remain on site to supervise Belarusian employees.

Nikkei reported that “the warhead components manufactured on the production line appear to be intended for export to Russia.” According to the related documents, ZTEM obtained a conformity certificate for transport cases for 122 mm rocket fuzes in October 2023 after undergoing inspection by a Russian certification body. Furthermore, the newly produced warheads were found to match the specifications of the Russian military’s BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher system.

In a June 2024 report, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in the United Kingdom projected that Russia’s annual production of 122 mm rocket rounds would exceed 500,000. Nikkei added that if all quantities produced at the Belarusian plant were supplied to Russia, they would account for about 20% of Russia’s total annual production.

China has consistently maintained that it is not involved in supplying weapons in connection with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It has also stated that its exports to Russia are limited to civilian goods. Nikkei pointed out that this could influence U.S. and European policy toward China. In particular, there is speculation that it could affect the bargaining position of U.S. President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to visit China in April. Nikkei added, “As it becomes clear that China is not providing international cooperation, hardline public opinion in both the United States and China is likely to intensify.”

Meanwhile, CEIEC did not respond to Nikkei’s inquiries, and a ZTEM representative dismissed questions by saying, “Because this is a special production facility, we cannot answer your questions.”