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China hit out Monday at the European Union and the British government for adopting sanctions against Chinese companies accused of aiding Russia’s war against Ukraine, warning of “negative impact.”
In a statement coinciding with the start of the World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce slammed the latest sanction measures for lacking a basis in international law and demanded no further sanctions from Europe against Chinese companies.
In an unprecedented move, Europe sanctioned mainland Chinese companies last week, as the West seeks to broaden the scope of its punitive measures to try to hit Russia’s war chest harder as the war in Ukraine surpassed the two-year mark.
“The European Union disregarded multiple interventions and discouragements from China, and acted single-handedly to list four Chinese companies in the package of sanctions. Such unilateral sanctions and [the exercise of] long-arm jurisdiction have no basis whatsoever in international law, nor were they authorized by the United Nations Security Council,” the ministry said in a furious statement posted online.
It added that the sanction package “violates the consensus and spirit of the China-EU leaders’ meeting” — referring to the summit between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in December — and “will bring about negative impact on China-EU trade and economic relationship.”
The EU’s 13th package of sanctions was adopted last week by all 27 member countries, including the traditionally Beijing-friendly Hungary.
Beijing had a similar message for London, where three Chinese companies were also sanctioned. It called on London and Brussels to “unconditionally stop listing Chinese companies” on their sanctions.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry put it even more bluntly.
In a press conference on Monday, ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said it was none of the West’s business when Beijing and Moscow decide to deepen trade ties.
“China and Russia do not target third parties, and would not be deterred by third parties, while exploring normal trade relationships,” Mao said. “China … will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate interests of Chinese companies.”
