EU to impose sanctions on China for helping Russia in war - Financial Times

The EU is considering imposing sanctions on a number of Chinese companies for supporting Russia's military-industrial complex. These companies have been accused of selling equipment to Russia that could be used for military purposes. China has already expressed its "strong disagreement" with this intention of the European Union.

"Brussels has proposed to impose sanctions on Chinese companies for supporting the Russian military machine. 7 Chinese companies accused of selling equipment to Russia that could be used to create weapons were included in the new EU sanctions package. Some of the companies have already been subject to US sanctions," the Financial Times reported.

They noted that the list includes 2 companies from mainland China - 3HC Semiconductors and King-Pai Technology. As well as 5 companies from Hong Kong:

• Sinno Electronics;
• Sigma Technology;
• Asia Pacific Links;
• Tordan Industry;
• Alpha Trading Investments.

Thus, it is noted that King-Pai supplies microelectronics to Russia that "has defence applications". In particular, it is emphasised that it is about "cruise missile guidance systems".

Why the EU decided to impose sanctions on Chinese companies

As analysts explained, the reason for this decision on the part of the EU is the key role of electronic components "in supporting the aggressive war against Ukraine". In particular, it is noted that the European Commission's "sanctions document" proposes to impose restrictions against:

• "certain entities in third countries involved in the circumvention of trade restrictions";
• "certain Russian organisations engaged in the development, production and supply of electronic components for the Russian defence industry".

In addition, according to the authors, the EU is considering imposing sanctions on some Iranian companies involved in the production and supply of drones to Russia.

What China has said

China has already responded to the EU's intention to impose sanctions on its companies. Thus, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated its disagreement with such measures, CNN reports.

"China strongly opposes illegal sanctions over Sino-Russian cooperation. ... Economic and trade cooperation between China and Russia is open and frank. It has never been directed against any third party and does not allow for interference or coercion by third parties," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, China does not consider the war in Ukraine to be an aggression by Russia, although it had previously voted in favour of a UN resolution with the relevant wording. The Permanent Mission of China to the UN stated that Beijing's position on the Russian invasion has not changed.

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