China Responds to EU Sanctions, 14 Entities Added to Export Control List

Illustration (Wikimedia Commons)

China has lodged a formal protest with the European Union after the bloc imposed sanctions on 14 companies from mainland China and Hong Kong in its 21st package of sanctions against Russia.

Anadolu Agency, quoted on Saturday, July 25, citing the Global Times, said Beijing considered the move unfair, targeting Chinese companies, and damaging the relationship between the two parties.

China then included 14 EU entities on an export control list on Friday. The retaliatory move came a day after the EU imposed sanctions on Chinese companies, according to China's Ministry of Commerce.

A spokesman for China's mission to the European Union said Beijing conveyed "strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition" to the sanctions.

The European Union imposed the sanctions as part of its latest measures against Russia over the war in Ukraine.

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

Beijing also rejected what it called the EU's attempt to shift blame to China for the conflict.

China has rejected the inclusion of its companies and citizens in the EU sanctions list which it considers unfounded.

Beijing asked the European Union to immediately correct its mistakes, remove the adverse impact of the sanctions, and safeguard the interests of China-EU relations through concrete actions.