The US has in recent months imposed sanctions on hundreds of entities and individuals for supporting Russia's war in Ukraine, including Chinese firms that it says are helping Moscow get around sanctions. Last month, Washington announced sanctions against two Chinese companies accused of cooperating with Russia to design and build long-range attack drones. Xiamen Limbach Aircraft Engine was the first Chinese entity targeted by the US Department of Treasury and accused of "directly developing and producing" weapons systems with Russian firms was. The US said the company was responsible for producing an engine placed in drones before they were shipped out of China. And Redlepus Vector Industry Shenzhen was accused of working with Russian defence firm TSK Vektor to allow the supply of drones to Russia. Despite the perceived close ties with Moscow, Beijing has continued to call for de-escalation of the armed conflict in Ukraine.