China all set to retaliate against EU’s 18th sanctions package

The Chinese authorities intend to take retaliatory measures against the 18^th package of anti-Russian sanctions adopted by the European Union (EU), which has negatively impacted Chinese business.

"China expresses strong protest and dissatisfaction. China has always opposed unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law and are not sanctioned by the UN Security Council," the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.

It described the measures taken by the EU leadership as "contradicting the spirit of mutual understanding" reached at the highest level between the 27-nantion bloc and the People’s Republic of China.

"China calls on the European side to immediately stop the illegal practice of including Chinese companies and financial institutions in the list. China will take all measures necessary to resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and financial institutions," the ministry emphasized.

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, voiced Beijing’s strong protest over 17^th package of anti-Russian sanctions announced by the European Union, which also targets Chinese companies.

"Presently, most countries, including Europe and the United States, trade with Russia. Normal interaction and cooperation between Chinese and Russian enterprises does not warrant interference and should not be influenced by anyone. The European side should stop applying double standards in economic and trade cooperation with Russia and infringing on the legitimate interests of Chinese enterprises," she noted.

The diplomat emphasized that China has always made efforts to promote a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, has never supplied lethal weapons to the conflicting parties and strictly controls the export of dual-purpose goods," she added.

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