China has called on the European Union to immediately lift sanctions imposed on several Chinese firms accused of aiding Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. On December 19, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce expressed “deep dissatisfaction” and “firm opposition,” slamming the sanctions as baseless under international law.
This marks the first time EU sanctions have targeted Chinese companies, with measures including asset freezes and trade restrictions. These firms are accused of supplying critical components, like drone parts and microelectronics, linked to Russia’s war machine.
Beijing didn’t mince words, accusing the EU of breaching agreements between their leaders, harming bilateral relations, and disrupting global supply chains. Warning of potential retaliation, a ministry spokesperson urged the EU to “correct these wrong practices” and focus on global economic stability and cooperative ties.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also defended its stance on Ukraine. Lin Jian, a spokesperson, emphasized that China hasn’t supplied weapons to any parties involved and strictly regulates dual-use exports, such as drones, under what he described as “one of the world’s strictest systems.”
The dispute comes amid rising tensions between Brussels and Beijing, further strained by European tariffs targeting China’s car industry. The EU justified its actions as necessary to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and curb support for Russia’s war effort, asserting that firms enabling the conflict must face consequences.
China, however, sees the sanctions as an unwarranted overreach, vowing to take “necessary measures” to defend its companies and interests. As this standoff heats up, the ripple effects on global trade and diplomacy are becoming harder to ignore.
