China Protests European Union Sanctions on 14 Chinese Companies Over Russia Links

SHANGHAI, Jul 25: China has lodged a formal protest with the European Union after Brussels imposed sanctions on additional Chinese companies as part of its latest measures targeting Russia over the war in Ukraine, state media reported on Saturday.

Beijing accused the EU of unfairly targeting Chinese businesses and warned that the move could damage China-EU relations.

The protest came a day after the EU announced sanctions against 14 companies from mainland China and Hong Kong under its 21st sanctions package against Russia. In response, China’s Commerce Ministry said it had placed 14 EU entities on its export control list in a retaliatory move.

A spokesperson for the Chinese mission to the EU said Beijing expressed “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition” to the sanctions, arguing that the measures were unjustified and harmed Chinese companies.

“China upholds an objective and just position on the Ukraine crisis, remains committed to promoting peace talks, and has played a constructive role in advancing a political settlement of the crisis,” the spokesperson said.

Beijing rejected accusations that it has contributed to Russia’s war effort, saying it opposed what it called attempts by the EU to shift responsibility for the conflict onto China.

China urged the EU to withdraw the sanctions, “eliminate the egregious impact,” and take steps to protect the broader interests of China-EU relations.

The latest dispute adds further strain to ties between Beijing and Brussels, which have been increasingly affected by disagreements over trade, security and China’s relationship with Moscow.