China Limits High-Tech Exports to Russia, Undermining Kremlin’s Defense

China has imposed restrictions on the export of high-precision machinery to Russia, significantly impacting the country’s ability to produce weapons for its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The export limitations have made it nearly impossible for Russia to acquire Chinese machine tools with the necessary precision of 3-4 microns, a crucial requirement for the production of advanced weaponry.

The news was confirmed by Ildar Nuriyev, owner of Tatpromstan, during his remarks at the TEMP forum on metalworking and additive technologies. “China has restricted the supply of high-tech equipment, although this is rarely mentioned,” Nuriyev stated. He further noted that obtaining machine tools with the required precision now necessitates a special export license, indicating a shift in Beijing’s approach to partnerships with Russian industries.

Trade Decline Signals Cooling Relations

These new restrictions occur amid a broader decline in trade between China and Russia, further complicating the Kremlin’s economic landscape. Data indicates that the total trade value between the two nations reached US$244.8 billion last year. However, recent statistics reveal a worrying trend: shipments of Chinese goods to Russia plummeted by 16.4% year-on-year in August 2025, following an 8.6% decline in July.

The overall trade turnover between the two countries has decreased by nearly 9% in the first eight months of 2025, amounting to approximately 1.03 trillion yuan (around US$145 billion). Russian exports to China fell by 8.8%, while imports from China decreased by 8.2%. This decline has raised concerns regarding the sustainability of the economic ties that had strengthened since the imposition of Western sanctions on Russia in 2022.

Shifting Dynamics in International Partnerships

The deterioration in trade relations comes despite consistent affirmations of a close partnership between the two nations. Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized their alignment, stating that both countries “have consistently moved forward hand-in-hand along the correct path of non-alignment.” Both leaders have also described their relationship as a “no limits” partnership on numerous occasions.

Despite these declarations, reports from the Gaidar Institute highlight a significant reduction in China’s purchases of Russian raw materials, including oil. This trend suggests a growing caution from Beijing regarding its economic relationship with Moscow, as it navigates its own geopolitical interests.

The tightening of high-tech exports and the decline in trade may signal a pivotal moment in the China-Russia relationship, with implications for both countries’ strategic objectives moving forward. As the situation evolves, the ramifications for Russia’s military-industrial complex and its ongoing war efforts remain a critical focus for analysts and policymakers alike.