BEIJING, China: China has sharply criticized the European Union's decision to include Chinese companies in its latest sanctions against Russia, warning of retaliatory steps and calling for their removal.
The country's commerce ministry said it "firmly opposes" the move and urged the EU to immediately take Chinese entities off its sanctions list.
The EU's 20th sanctions package targets suppliers from third countries providing high-tech goods that could have both civilian and military uses, including companies based in China accused of supporting Russia's military-industrial complex.
The move "runs counter to the spirit of the consensus reached between Chinese and EU leaders, and seriously undermines mutual trust and the overall stability of bilateral relations," a spokesperson for China's commerce ministry said in a statement.
Beijing warned it would take "necessary measures" to safeguard its companies and added that "all consequences will be borne by the EU side."
Pictured: Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao with Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security on 26 March 2026 | Credit: China's Ministry of Commerce.
