Russia has established a weapons programme in China to develop and produce long-range attack drones for use in its war against Ukraine, two sources from a European intelligence agency told Reuters in a report published in September.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for Beijing and Berlin to develop ties with a "strategic" and "long-term" perspective Tuesday as he met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Rio de Janeiro, state media said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned China against supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine with military equipment at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday. Baerbock said supporters of Russia must understand that the Ukraine war concerns Europe's "core security interests" and for this reason backing Russia "must and will have consequences" for China.

European Union foreign ministers are discussing intelligence showing drones are being produced for the Russian military in Xinjiang.

Diplomats are becoming increasingly concerned that Russia is producing deadly drones in China in a move which could have serious implications for the war in Ukraine. Insiders say the "evidence" it had uncovered was a concerning reflection of the "no-limits partnership" to which the two superpowers are committed to.