WASHINGTON — Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are demanding answers from the State Department over China’s alleged role in Russia’s war in Ukraine, following reports that over 150 Chinese nationals are fighting on the Russian side — with at least two captured by Ukrainian forces.
In an April 30 letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the bipartisan leadership of the House Select Committee on China said China’s ruling Communist Party likely gave its “tacit approval” to the deployment of Chinese fighters, given the country’s tight internal controls.
“Russia’s recruitment of Chinese citizens for its war effort would not be possible without at least passive consent from Beijing,” wrote Republican Chair John Moolenaar and Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi. The lawmakers pressed the State Department for a full briefing and called for U.S. action against China’s growing alignment with Moscow.
While U.S. intelligence sources told Reuters the Chinese men appear to be mercenaries with no direct links to the Chinese government, the presence of such fighters has added fuel to congressional concerns over China’s “no-limits” partnership with Russia.
China has denied any state involvement, calling suggestions of its nationals fighting in Ukraine “irresponsible,” and continues to cast itself as a potential mediator in the conflict. Still, it has refused to condemn Russia’s 2022 invasion and has supplied Moscow with dual-use technologies — and, reportedly, lethal drones — that aid its war effort.
The committee’s Democratic co-lead Krishnamoorthi called on the Trump administration to demand the immediate withdrawal of Chinese nationals from the battlefield and hold Beijing accountable for its broader support. Moolenaar reinforced the message, saying China “is not a neutral actor.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier this month that Russia had been recruiting Chinese nationals via social media, and that Beijing was aware of the activity. The State Department has described the reports as “disturbing” but has yet to confirm whether it has formally raised the issue with China.