Beijing threatens to respond following sanctions for cooperation with Russia. The European Union has, for the first time, included Chinese banks and companies in a new sanctions package against Russia for the attack on Ukraine.

Beijing’s reaction was immediate and harsh: “China expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute protest.”

According to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese side views the 18th sanctions package as an unfriendly act that violates international law, undermines economic relations with the EU, and threatens financial cooperation.

Four Chinese companies were added to the EU blacklist, including two from Hong Kong, Zhu Jiang Shipmanagement and ACE Electronic HK, as well as Wuhan Global Sensor Technology and Shandong ODES Industry from mainland China. The reason: assistance to Russia in circumventing restrictions, supplying technologies and components that can be used in the production of weapons that kill Ukrainians.

“China calls on the EU to immediately stop its wrongful practice of including Chinese enterprises and financial institutions on sanction lists and will take necessary measures to reliably protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies,” the statement said.

China’s outrage coincides with preparations for the 25th anniversary China–EU summit, scheduled for 24 July in Beijing. This is the second consecutive time the summit will not be held in Europe as Xi Jinping refused to travel to Brussels, and instead, European leaders will come to China to discuss the most sensitive issues in bilateral relations.

Despite the pressure, Brussels sends a clear signal: sanctions evasion via third countries, including China, will no longer go unanswered.

Previously, US Army Europe and NATO Allied Forces Supreme Commander General Alexus Grynkewich has warned that American and its European allies likely have only a year and a half to prepare for a potential global military conflict with China and Russia. According to Bild, the two dictatorships may launch a coordinated strike in 2027.

Stability in Ukraine is in China’s own interest, and Beijing holds the most powerful levers to influence Moscow and urge Russian ruler Vladimir Putin to end the war, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi says, according to UkrInform. 

Tykhyi calls on China, which has been called the main sponsor of Russia’s war, to view Ukraine not merely as another European country, but as a future member of the European Union. He emphasizes that “Ukraine–China relations are ongoing, dialogue exists.” Kyiv is also openly responding to instances of Chinese citizens participating in combat on Russia’s side or engaging in acts of industrial espionage.

For instance, on 9 July, Kyiv detained two Chinese nationals, accused of attempting to steal classified documentation on Ukraine’s Neptune anti-ship missile system. The weapon that sank Russia’s flagship Moskva.

The younger suspect studied at a Kyiv technical university until 2023, when he was expelled for poor grades. Instead of returning to China, he stayed in Ukraine. The SBU suggests he used his remaining contacts to target someone with access to advanced weapons development.

“Recently, Chinese nationals were detained for gathering sensitive information about Ukrainian weapons. These facts are not being concealed,” the spokesperson says, adding that such incidents damage bilateral relations, and Ukraine cannot ignore threats amid all-out war.

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a senior EU diplomat that China “cannot accept” Russia’s defeat in the war against Ukraine, arguing that such an outcome would allow the US to focus its foreign policy on Beijing. However, this does not fully indicate that Beijing is focused on Moscow’s victory.