The European Commission has added eight Chinese companies to a draft new package of sanctions against Russia. So writes the political newspaper ‘Politico’. However, the sanctions this time do not only target Russia, but also countries that help the Kremlin to evade the sanctions. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned yesterday that Beijing will respond strongly if those sanctions are actually implemented.
“We are resolutely against certain countries, certain blocs of countries, using their so-called laws to exercise long-term jurisdiction and unilateral sanctions against China, among others. China will respond in appropriate ways when that happens,” Qin warned German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during his visit to Germany.
READ ALSO. EU urges to take action against countries that help Russia to evade sanctions
Western countries accuse Beijing of providing political and material support to Russia since the start of the war with Ukraine. According to Baerbock, it is China’s duty to ensure that its companies do not supply Moscow with weapons or dual-use goods that Russia could also use in the war against Ukraine.
But exports of dual-use goods, such as key components for weapons production, are fully legal, Qin said. “China and Russian companies have normal exchanges and cooperation, which should not be influenced.”
Baerbock then emphasized that it is very important that Russia does not circumvent EU sanctions. It is therefore “particularly critical” if Russian arms companies can still obtain the goods they need to produce new weapons, Baerbock said. “That is why, as the European Union, we are exploring very targeted measures to ensure that sanctioned and dual-use goods do not fall into the wrong hands.”
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