China docks ship linked to North Korea-Russia arms transfers, reveal satellite images

China is docking a U.S.-sanctioned Russian cargo ship that is suspected of transferring North Korean arms to Russia, according to satellite images obtained by Reuters.

This development comes as the U.S. becomes increasingly concerned about Beijing's support for Moscow's war in Ukraine.

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank in Britain reported in February that the Russian vessel Angara, which has been transporting thousands of containers suspected of carrying North Korean munitions to Russian ports since August 2023, has been anchored at a Chinese shipyard in eastern Zhejiang province.

The ship's presence at the Chinese port highlights the difficulties the U.S. and its allies faced as they attempt to suffocate Russia's economic and military support.

As Ukraine continues to be besieged by Russia and faces a severe ammunition shortage, U.S. officials have issued increasingly dire warnings regarding what they claim to be China's assistance in reconstructing Russia's military following its initial setbacks in the Ukraine conflict.

During his visit to Beijing this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is anticipated to prioritize this support.

In April, Kurt Campbell, the second-ranked diplomat at the State Department, stated that Washington would not "sit by" if Beijing increased its support for Moscow.

A State Department spokesperson stated that the department was cognizant of "credible, open-source reports" and had informed Chinese authorities that the Angara was presently berthed in a Chinese port.

"We call on all member states to fulfill their obligations under UNSCR 2397," the official said, referring to a U.N. resolution restricting trade with North Korea and requiring UN states to de-register any vessels involved in illicit activities.

"When Secretary Blinken meets with his PRC counterparts this week, he will address a range of concerns, including Russia’s war against Ukraine and Russia-DPRK ties," the spokesperson said, referring to China and North Korea by the initials of their official names.

Satellite visuals Recent RUSI data obtained from companies such as San Francisco-based Earth imaging firm Planet Labs PBC revealed the Angara was docked at Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard in Zhejiang, the largest private ship repair company in China, according to its website.

The vessel was distinguished by its distinctive automatic identification system (AIS) transponder, which had been momentarily activated during its passage through a congested section of the Korea Strait en route to China, presumably for precautionary purposes.

According to RUSI, before arriving in China on Feb. 9, the Angara was reportedly docked in January at North Korean and Russian ports with its transponder deactivated. This was presumably for maintenance or repairs. Shortly after reaching China, it stopped transmitting once more.

11 Voyages to Russia

Since August 2023, the vessel, which was US-sanctioned in May 2022, has reportedly completed a minimum of eleven shipments between the Russian ports and the North Korean port of Rajin, according to RUSI.

The organization has been monitoring the vessel's whereabouts as part of an initiative to monitor North Korea's sanctions evasion networks using open-source data.

China's embassy in Washington said it was unaware of the details related to the Angara, but that China "always opposes unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that have no basis in international law or mandate from the Security Council."

China's foreign ministry also said it had no information about the matter.

The US and dozens of other countries said earlier this year that the North Korean weapons transfers to Russia "flagrantly" violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

Joseph Byrne, a research fellow with RUSI, said China's government should know that the U.S.-sanctioned vessel was docked at its shipyard.

"If it lets (the Angara) sail out of port uninspected and newly repaired, then it shows China likely won't take any action on these Russian vessels," Byrne said.

Washington has consistently requested China to refrain from assisting in Moscow's military endeavors since February 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This invasion occurred mere weeks after Russia and China proclaimed a "no-limits partnership."

Last week, Blinken criticized Chinese support for Russia's defense industry, stating that Beijing's provision of critical components for weaponry is the primary contributor to Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on inquiries regarding the Angara.

The company's website says its clients come from around Asia, Europe, and the US and that it has "strategic cooperation" with global shipping companies, including Maersk and Taiwan's Evergreen Marine Corp., and partnerships with European technology companies.

North Korea and Russia have both consistently disregarded criticism regarding the purported arms transfers. Moscow asserted that it is free to establish diplomatic relations with any nation it chooses and that its collaboration with Pyongyang does not violate international accords.

On Monday at a Washington event, Campbell stated that the expanding alliance between North Korea, China, and Russia was "antithetical" to U.S. security interests in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

Source: Reuters