Beijing Chafes At US Sanctions Over Its Purchase of Russian Arms

The sanctions are related to China’s purchase of 10 SU-35 combat aircraft in 2017 and S-400 surface-to-air missile system-related equipment in 2018, the State Department said.

A Chinese paramilitary officer stands guard before a row of Russian Su-27 fighter jets ahead a rehearsal of aerobatics show at Zhangjiajie Lotus Airport in China's central province of Hunan, 17 March 2006. LIU JIN/AFP/Getty Images

The Trump administration imposed sanctions on the Chinese military on Sep. 20 for buying fighter jets and missile systems from Russia, in breach of a sweeping U.S. sanctions law punishing Moscow for meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.

The U.S. State Department said it would immediately impose sanctions on China’s Equipment Development Department (EDD), the military branch responsible for weapons and equipment, and its director, Li Shangfu, for engaging in “significant transactions” with Rosoboronexport, Russia’s main arms exporter.