The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on the Chinese military for buying Russian fighter jets and missiles, in the latest action designed to punish Russia for interfering in the 2016 presidential election.
US officials said on Thursday the administration sanctioned the Equipment Development Department, the branch of the People’s Liberation Army responsible for the weapons and equipment used by the Chinese military.
China bought 20 Russian Sukhoi-25 fighter jets last year and S-400 surface-to-air missiles this year, according to the US. The officials said the moves triggered sanctions against EED because they constituted a “significant transaction” under a law aimed at punishing Russia for alleged interference in the 2016 US election.