Vladimir Zelensky has accused Beijing of secretly supplying arms to Russia

China has dismissed a Ukrainian claim that Beijing has been secretly providing Moscow with weapons as "groundless... political manipulation."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on Friday that his country "has never provided lethal weapons to any party to the [Ukraine] conflict, and has kept its dual-use exports under strict control."

Beijing favors a "ceasefire and talks for peace" between Kiev and Moscow, the official added.

The retro comes after allegations levelled by Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky on Thursday that he had received "important, not so pleasant information" that "China is supplying weapons to the Russian Federation."

"As of today, we have general information from the Security Service [of Ukraine], from the intelligence services about gunpowder [and] artillery," he stated.

Zelensky accused China of manufacturing certain weapons on Russian soil, promising to provide more details.

Last week the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summoned China's charge d'affaires after Zelensky announced that Kiev's forces had captured two Chinese nationals who had allegedly served in the Russian military. "Significantly more" Chinese citizens are fighting for Moscow, he claimed.

In a post on X, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga wrote that the development "puts into question China's declared stance for peace."

Last Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian dismissed Kiev's allegations as "groundless," reiterating that Beijing consistently advises its citizens against participating in foreign armed conflicts in any capacity.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, speaking the following day, insisted that "China has always maintained a very balanced position, so Zelensky is wrong."

Beijing has rejected Washington's accusations that its trade with Russia is helping to fuel Moscow's military production, maintaining that, unlike Western countries, it remains neutral in the conflict.