EU Sanctions on Chinese Firms for Supporting Russia Are 'Groundless,' Beijing Says
China this week criticized the EU’s recent decision to sanction more than 25 mainland Chinese and Hong Kong companies for supporting Russia's military-industrial complex (see 2507180017), saying the bloc’s allegations are “groundless." Beijing “is strongly dissatisfied with this and firmly opposes it,” a Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said July 21 in response to a reporter's question at a regular press conference, according to an unofficial translation.
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The spokesperson added that China has “always opposed unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law,” and the designations are “contrary to the consensus” reached by Chinese and European leaders. They will have “a serious negative impact on China-EU economic and trade relations and financial cooperation.”
Beijing urged the EU to stop sanctioning Chinese companies and said it will “take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests” of its businesses.