Three days before his communist government turns 75, China’s foreign minister is warning fellow leaders against an “expansion of the battlefield” in Russia’s war with Ukraine.

Western officials believe they have evidence that Chinese companies are secretly supplying weapons to Russia. This could mean a significant escalation of Beijing's involvement in the war in Ukraine, reports The Times.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned on Saturday against the expansion of the conflict in Ukraine, which has accused Beijing of assisting Russia in its war.Kyiv has been particularly scornful of Beijing's calls for talks to resolve the conflict,