China Hits Back at EU Sanctions With Own Sanctions on 14 EU Entities

China slapped sanctions on 14 EU entities on Friday in response to the bloc’s 21st package of sanctions.

The new EU package, adopted on Thursday, includes sanctions on companies in China and Hong Kong accused of helping Russia obtain dual-use goods and technologies.

On Friday, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce issued a notice listing the EU entities, saying they have been added to China’s export control list, where the export of dual-use goods is prohibited.

“Exporters are prohibited from exporting dual-use items to the aforementioned 14 entities, and foreign organizations and individuals are prohibited from transferring or providing dual-use items originating in the People’s Republic of China to the aforementioned 14 entities,” the notice says in Chinese.

“Any ongoing related activities must be immediately ceased,” it adds.

The full list includes entities that range from arms maker Rheinmetall to education institutions like Wrocław University of Science and Technology:

1. Italian motor maker Lafert S.p.A.
2. Italian robotics company Garnet S.r.l.
3. German materials science firm Sindlhauser Materials GmbH
4. German arms maker Rheinmetall AG
5. German chemical engineering firm Antraco Chemie-Handelsgesellschaft mbH
6. French semiconductor materials firm InPACT S.A.
7. French semiconductor wafer development firm III-V LAB
8. French drone maker Cavok UAS
9. Polish infrared photon detector maker Vigo Photonics S.A.
10. Wrocław University of Science and Technology (Politechnika Wroclawska)
11. Dutch shipmaker IHC Merwede Holding B.V.
12. Czech carmaker TATRA TRUCKS a.s.
13. Bulgarian optics maker Opticoelectron Group
14. Lithuanian laser maker Ekspla UAB

The ministry added that any exceptional exports require prior approval through an application to the ministry.

Beijing has previously protested against other EU sanctions against Chinese firms, including the 20th package of sanctions adopted in April. At the time, Beijing said it “undermines mutual trust” and contradicts previous agreements between Chinese and European leaders.

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