China plans for home-grown aviation excellence hit by Ukraine sanctions
- Kiev bans Chinese company Skyrizon’s bid for jet engine maker Motor Sich but experts say China’s ambitions will be slowed not stopped
- The eastern European country is caught in the middle of US-China rivalry, but currently may need Washington’s support more
China’s plans to use Ukrainian expertise to fast-track is aviation technology have suffered a setback, as Kiev tries to improve relations with the new US administration.
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The growth of Chinese military power over the past four decades
Skyrizon was blacklisted by the Pentagon in the last days of Donald Trump’s presidency. Export restrictions were imposed on the company because of its “significant ties” to the Chinese military and its attempts “to acquire and indigenise foreign military technologies [which] pose a significant threat to US national security and foreign policy interests”.
China watchers and military analysts said the Ukrainian sanctions would slow – but not stop – China’s technological development.
Shukor Yusof, from research firm Endau Analytics, said Skyrizon would have to rethink its strategy after this setback.
“China will continue to make progress in the aviation sector, with or without foreign help, but the growth will be stunted if more sanctions are imposed,” he said.