US Sanctions Chinese Military Unit for Buying Russian Fighter Jets, Missiles

Sukhoi Su-35 multi-role fighters of the Sokoly Rossii (Falcons of Russia) aerobatic team fly in formation during a demonstration flight at the MAKS 2017 air show in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow, Russia, July 21, 2017. Reuters/Sergei Karpukhin

WASHINGTON–The Trump administration imposed sanctions on the Chinese military on Sept. 20 for buying fighter jets and missile systems from Russia, in breach of a sweeping U.S. sanctions meant to punish Moscow for meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.

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