Belarus Arms Plant: China Firm Linked to Russia War Support – Nikkei Investigation

Internal documents reveal a Chinese state-owned enterprise is providing construction support for a large-scale weapons manufacturing plant in Belarus, a key ally of Russia, according to a Nikkei investigation published February 23, 2026. Photocopies of contracts involving Belarusian companies and missile warheads suggest potential involvement in assisting Moscow’s war effort.

The documents indicate the Chinese company is involved in building the facility, though the specific nature of its contribution remains unclear. The plant’s location and capacity have not been publicly disclosed by either Belarusian or Chinese authorities. The Nikkei report does not name the specific Chinese state-owned enterprise involved.

Belarus has become increasingly aligned with Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, serving as a staging ground for Russian troops and equipment. In June 2025, China and Belarus reaffirmed their “all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership,” pledging long-term cooperation, according to reporting from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. This partnership has been fostered through initiatives like the Great Stone Industrial Park, envisioned as a hub for Chinese firms producing goods for the European market.

The timing of the construction support coincides with a period of deepening economic and technological cooperation between China and Russia, as noted in a recent report by the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Western policymakers have debated whether diplomatic pressure and sanctions could persuade China to curb its support for Moscow, but China has steadily expanded its economic ties with Russia, providing a vital lifeline through energy purchases and the supply of dual-leverage goods.

Joint military exercises between China and Belarus, the first in six years, took place in Brest, Belarus, beginning in February 2026, according to reporting from The Independent. Brest is located less than 5km from the border with Poland, a NATO member state, and 50km from Ukraine. China described the exercises as “anti-terrorist training” conducted according to an annual plan. These drills followed an agreement in August 2025 for more joint military exercises between the two countries.

Belarus’s membership in the China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), secured during a meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, further solidifies the relationship. Belarusian officials stated the drills would “lay a foundation for further development of Belarusian-Chinese relations in the field of joint training of troops.”

Analysts suggest the location and timing of the military exercises, coupled with the construction support for the weapons plant, are likely to be interpreted as a signal of Chinese support for Russia and its allies in Europe. However, Chinese officials have maintained that their relationship with Russia is not intended to be adversarial to the West.

European officials have expressed concern over China’s deepening relationship with Russia, noting that Beijing has stopped short of providing direct military aid but has expanded economic and technological cooperation. The EU continues a dialogue with Chinese officials to address these concerns, but the effectiveness of these efforts remains uncertain.