BEIJING (AP) — China’s government declared Friday that it is placing 14 European organizations on a restricted export list, a direct countermove after the European Union penalized 14 Chinese businesses as part of its newest wave of sanctions tied to Russia.
According to China’s Commerce Ministry, Chinese companies will be prohibited from selling dual-use items — products that can serve both civilian and military functions — to the affected European organizations. The restrictions also extend to foreign companies, which are barred from supplying those same European entities with dual-use goods manufactured in China.
Among the European organizations impacted are Czech vehicle maker Tatra Trucks, Italian electric motor producer Lafert SpA, German manufacturer Sindlhauser Materials GmbH, and French drone company Cavok UAS.
A spokesperson for China’s Commerce Ministry confirmed the controls were a direct response to the EU’s decision on Thursday to add 14 mainland Chinese and Hong Kong businesses to its Russia sanctions list, which is connected to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
The spokesperson stated the measures were taken “to safeguard national security and interests, and to fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation, in response to the E.U.’s egregious actions.”
The EU’s move came as part of its 21st package of sanctions against Russia, which targeted banks, cryptocurrency firms, and military equipment producers, among other sectors. That sanctions package also included entities from countries such as India and Turkey, which are believed to be supplying Russia with dual-use goods and technology.
