Advertisement
China-EU relations
ChinaDiplomacy

EU to weigh sanctions against Chinese firms accused of helping Russian military

  • Companies allegedly sold chips and microelectronics that can be used in high-grade weapons
  • It would mark the first time the EU has moved to sanction Chinese companies for abetting Russia’s military in Ukraine

Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
17
European officials, including EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, have previously expressed concerns about the possibility of China providing aid to Russia’s military. Photo AFP
Finbarr Berminghamin Brussels
The European Union is weighing sanctions on Chinese companies accused of providing help to Russia’s military in its invasion of Ukraine, diplomatic sources have confirmed.
Advertisement

Ambassadors from the bloc’s 27 member states will hold initial discussions on Wednesday on a fresh package of sanctions proposed by the European Commission.

Among proposed targets are eight private entities from China, six of which have headquarters in Hong Kong, in what would mark the first time the EU moved to sanction Chinese companies for abetting Russia’s military effort in Ukraine.

Previously, the EU had declined to follow the United States in sanctioning Chinese businesses for supplying the Russian war effort, noting that broadly speaking Beijing was “over complying” with EU sanctions and export controls.

The news was first reported by the Financial Times on Sunday, which named a group of electronics companies accused of selling chips and microelectronics that can be used in high-grade weaponry, such as cruise missiles.

Advertisement

Sanctions decisions require unanimity among all EU members, and it is unclear just how much support there would be for a move that would undoubtedly cause new fissures in the volatile EU-China relationship.

Advertisement