China Warns EU: Sanctions Against Chinese Companies Are Illegitimate, Hands Off Our Firms

Beijing has issued a strong rebuke to the European Union after Brussels included Chinese companies in its latest sanctions package targeting Russia, warning that the EU “will bear all consequences” for the move.

In a statement released late Saturday, China’s Ministry of Commerce said it was “strongly dissatisfied” and “firmly opposes” the inclusion of Chinese businesses in the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia, accusing the bloc of acting “brazenly” despite repeated objections from Beijing.

The ministry demanded that the EU immediately remove Chinese companies and individuals from the sanctions list, stating that Beijing “will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard” their interests.

The EU’s 20th sanctions package, approved last week after Hungary and Slovakia dropped their veto, targets another 20 Russian banks, cutting them off from euro transactions and business within the bloc. The package also includes banks and companies in third countries, including China, as part of a broader effort to shut down back channels used to support Russia’s war economy.