BEIJING — China’s embassy in the United Kingdom has filed a formal protest with British authorities following London’s announcement of new sanctions that include four Chinese entities accused of providing key military supplies to Russia.
In a statement posted on the embassy’s website, officials called on Britain to acknowledge and correct what they described as a “mistake” and to pull back the sanctions. The embassy also warned that China would take whatever steps are needed to defend the rights and interests of its businesses.
“On the Ukraine crisis, China has consistently promoted peace talks and strictly controlled exports of dual-use goods,” an embassy spokesperson said in the statement. “Normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Russia should not be disrupted or affected.”
The latest British sanctions package, unveiled on Tuesday, takes aim at Russia’s network of so-called “shadow” ships and financial channels used to evade existing restrictions. It also targets suppliers of critical military equipment to Russia operating in China, Thailand, and Turkey.
