Investigative journalists uncover Chinese investments in russian-occupied Ukrainian territories

Chinese companies are actively investing in russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, contributing to large-scale construction projects in the Donetsk region—despite Beijing’s official stance of neutrality. Investigative journalists have uncovered evidence of cooperation between Chinese businesses and occupation authorities, revealing their involvement in the construction of multiple facilities in these territories.

These findings were presented during an investigation by Realna Gazeta at the Media Center Ukraine. 

As part of the probe, journalists discovered that a Chinese-backed project led to the rapid construction of two new factories at the Karansky Quarry in the Volnovakha district of Donetsk region—a concrete production plant and a crushing facility. 

Although there have been no official announcements regarding Chinese investment in the occupied territories, investigators obtained evidence confirming the existence of such projects.

According to Andrii Dikhtiarenko, founder of Realna Gazeta and author of the investigation, two companies from China’s Henan Province were identified as key players in construction at the Karansky Quarry: Amma Construction Machinery Co., Ltd and Zhongxin Heavy Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd. Both firms specialize in supplying equipment for construction plants and facilities producing industrial crushed stone and cement.

“Two new factories sprang up near the Karansky Quarry in just two years, along with the revival of an old facility that had been idle since 2008,” Dikhtiarenko stated.

Beyond the Karansky Quarry case, the investigation points to a broader trend of Chinese capital flowing into the occupied territories. While no other Chinese firms have been conclusively linked so far, numerous reports indicate ongoing meetings between Chinese businesses and the so-called leaders of the occupation administrations.

Dikhtiarenko stressed that the investigation aims to prompt a response from Ukrainian authorities to block major Chinese conglomerates from deepening their presence in the occupied regions.

“These massive Chinese corporations—such as Genertec International Co., Ltd, whose subsidiaries engaged in talks with the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic six months ago—handle projects worth hundreds of billions of dollars and employ thousands of workers. These are the same companies that built Olympic venues in Beijing from the ground up,” he explained. “I would not want to see Chinese businesses entrench themselves in the occupied territories because this could lead to them lobbying for russia’s interests, including at the international level, and influencing decisions made by the Chinese government.”

To read the full investigation by Realna Gazeta, follow the link: https://realgazeta.com.ua/china-invests-in-ukraine-s-occupied-territories-an-investigation-by-realna-gazeta/ 

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news