Chinese Firms Flout US Sanctions for Lucrative Russia Deals

The ExpoElectronica conference is a prime annual opportunity for Russia’s most advanced tech companies to make deals with the country’s decision-makers; including those in the powerful security and military sectors. But as they assembled in Moscow earlier this month for the 2024 installment, Russia’s tech leaders—represented by 369 companies—were almost outnumbered by 348 Chinese counterparts. The Chinese presence at the event appears another sign of Beijing’s expanding footprint in the Russian economy, particularly in advanced technology that is increasingly difficult for Russian companies to access since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine precipitated an unprecedented Western sanctions campaign. The trajectory is reflected…