China apparently received Russia's cutting-edge S-400 missile systems but these methods had unforeseen drawbacks. The Chinese believed that Russia blocked sophisticated features by providing a simpler version. The goal of this action was to restrict international competition and safeguard Russian technology.

According to the local news outlet ABN24, Russia gave its sophisticated S-400 air defense missile systems to China with built-in "surprises" that confounded its eastern neighbor. In its class, the Russian S-400 Triumf air defense systems are regarded as the finest in the world. Their positive traits, adaptability, and capacity to intercept a wide range of air targets set them apart.

Beijing and Moscow inked a multibillion-dollar deal in 2014 for Beijing to buy multiple S-400 divisions. Curious details of that agreement were made public a few years later. At the time, ABN24 reported that the agreement garnered international attention and was regarded as a significant step for China to improve its national air defense capabilities as well as a significant symbol of military cooperation between China and Russia.

The S-400 systems that are shipped to China are, however, hardly ever addressed these days, according to analysts of Chinese Internet Service Sohu. Furthermore, there is almost little news on their deployment and use, and they seldom ever show up in Chinese military public reports.

One crucial detail, meanwhile, was overlooked: Russia protected its own interests by including a surprise into the S-400. China feels that Russia provided them with a far more basic version of its technology, blocking some of its more sophisticated features.