China Denounces U.S. Sanctions on Chinese Firms Linked to Russia, Vows Protective Measures
On Sunday, China voiced strong opposition to the recent U.S. sanctions targeting Chinese companies allegedly connected to Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Chinese government announced plans to implement necessary measures to protect the interests of its businesses.
On Friday, the U.S. imposed extensive sanctions on numerous firms across Russia, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. These sanctions are aimed at companies accused of supplying products and services that bolster Russia’s military efforts and help it evade existing sanctions. The U.S. Department of State expressed concerns about the “significant volume of dual-use goods” being exported from China to Russia.
China’s Ministry of Commerce condemned the U.S. decision to include several Chinese companies on its export control list. This designation effectively prevents these companies from engaging in trade with U.S. businesses without obtaining a nearly unattainable special license.
The Ministry criticized the sanctions as “typical unilateral measures” that would disrupt global trade norms and impact the stability of international industrial and supply chains. “China urges the U.S. to immediately halt these erroneous practices and will take resolute steps to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises,” the statement read.
These latest sanctions add to the extensive list of U.S. measures imposed on Russian entities and their international partners since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. There has been ongoing debate about the effectiveness of these sanctions, especially as Russia has managed to sustain its economy through the sale of oil and gas.
The U.S. State Department indicated that some companies based in China had been supplying machine tools and components to Russian firms.
China has maintained a stance of neutrality regarding the Ukraine conflict while fostering closer ties with Russia. Following the imposition of heavy Western sanctions on Russian oil, China significantly increased its purchase of Russian oil, thereby enhancing its influence in the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin also highlighted the importance of China by meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing shortly after his re-election for a fifth term.