Marc Henrichmann, the chairman of the parliamentary intelligence control committee for the Bundestag and a member of the CDU, stated that media reports suggesting military cooperation between China and Russia are credible. Speaking to Handelsblatt, he commented that these reports align with developments observed over the past years, noting that a growing synergy between Moscow and Beijing is particularly evident in both military and economic spheres since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Henrichmann highlighted the dependence of Russia’s war effort on China, pointing out that a significant portion of Russia’s military machinery since 2022 relies on Chinese dual-use components. These crucial parts range from fiber-optic cables used for drones to sophisticated chips, engines, and propulsion systems for long-range weaponry.
The German politician expressed skepticism regarding China’s international stance, specifically Beijing’s regular claims of neutrality and its efforts to mediate peace talks concerning the Ukraine conflict. According to Henrichmann, the reality suggests that China is pursuing a hardline self-interest policy that comes at a cost to both Germany and Europe. Addressing this, he stressed the necessity for Germany to build up its own capabilities and increase its resilience. For him, the path forward requires acting towards China and Russia with the requisite caution, but also with unified European strength.
