China has cried foul following the European Union’s first “fully fledged” sanctions on Chinese firms over their support for Russia amid its ongoing war against Ukraine. China has condemned and firmly opposes the EU, adding Chinese entities and individuals to the “fully-fledged listings” in its 15th sanctions package against Russia.
Why does this matter? This isn’t the first time China and the EU have locked horns over sanctions. The European Union, which has been China’s largest trading partner, has progressively regarded China as a “systemic rival”. This change in perception was solidified in 2019, and the relationship has only worsened since then, especially with China’s support for Russia’s hostility in Ukraine.
The European Council, the EU’s highest decision-making body, targeted 30 entities and 54 persons for actions considered to “undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.” Targeted entities from China, India, and several other countries were named for “directly supporting Russia’s military and industrial complex,” including through dual-use products and technologies and the “procurement of sensitive items,” such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that aid Russian forces.
But why is China crying foul? I thought China and Russia had their new anti-west buddy group. They should be thrilled not to have to deal with Western countries, given how openly they dislike us. Well, the EU’s sanctions are part of a broader strategy to curb China’s growing influence and support for Russia.
How did China respond to the EU’s sanctions? China could just ignore the EU’s sanctions and concentrate on BRICS+. However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, blasted the 27-member bloc’s new sanctions as “unilateral” during a press conference on Tuesday. He said they have “no basis in international law or authorization by the U.N. Security Council,” though that body does not, in fact, have authority over sanctions imposed by independent bodies or countries.
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He added: “China never provides weapons to the parties to the conflict and strictly controls the export of dual-use articles, and China’s scope and measures of export control over drones are the most stringent worldwide. The normal exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Russian companies should not be disrupted or interfered with.”
Meaning, despite being a member of BRICS+ China needs the EU and U.S. as trading partners.
Here’s where it gets interesting. What if these sanctions are just the tip of the iceberg? Could we be on the edge of a full-blown economic conflict between the EU and China? China urges the EU to act in line with maintaining the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership and safeguarding the stability of the global industrial and supply chains, immediately halt its erroneous practice of blacklisting Chinese organisations, and stop harming the genuine interests of Chinese enterprises.
So, what happens next? The latest EU sanctions subject entities to assets freeze, with individuals also facing travel bans. However, the China spokesperson said: “China will take necessary measures to resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.”
While the EU is trying to assert its influence, China is pushing back against what it sees as Western domination.
