Key facts
- Britain sanctioned four Chinese entities for allegedly supplying Russia with key military equipment.
- China's embassy in the UK protested the sanctions, calling them unilateral and lacking international legal basis.
- Beijing urged the UK to revoke the sanctions and stated it would take necessary measures to protect its companies.
- China reiterated its commitment to promoting peace talks and controlling dual-use exports related to the Ukraine crisis.
China has lodged 'serious representations' with British authorities after London announced sanctions on several entities, including four from China, for allegedly supplying key military equipment to Russia. The Chinese embassy in Britain stated that these sanctions are unilateral actions without any basis in international law and undermine the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. Beijing urged the UK to correct its 'mistake' and immediately revoke the sanctions. A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce reiterated that normal exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Russian companies should not be disrupted or affected. China emphasized its consistent commitment to promoting peace talks on the Ukraine crisis and its strict control over dual-use exports, asserting it has never provided lethal weapons to parties involved in the conflict. The UK's new sanctions package targets Russia's 'shadow' shipping and financial networks, as well as third-country suppliers of critical military equipment. China has stated it will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.