Beijing to protest over sanctions against Chinese firm

Beijing has lodged a serious protest with the European Union over sanctions against a Chinese aerospace tech company for allegedly supporting the Russian armed forces.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lin Jian, said this on Tuesday.

On Monday, the Council of the EU had approved the 16th package of sanctions against Russia, adding 48 individuals and 35 organisations to the list.

The EU also imposed sanctions against China’s Head Aerospace Technology Company for allegedly supporting the General Staff of the Russian armed forces by providing topographic data and satellite services

“China explicitly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions. This position is consistent.

“ The normal exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Russian businesses should not be disrupted or affected.

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“We have lodged serious protests to the EU, and we urge the EU to stop smearing China or shirking the responsibility to China while finding no factual grounds.

“To stop undermining the lawful interests of Chinese companies,’’ Lin told a briefing.

Western countries and their allies rolled out a comprehensive sanctions campaign against Russia after it launched the special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022.

Moscow had repeatedly stated that the country would cope with the sanctions pressure.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the policy of containing and weakening Russia was a long-term strategy of the West, and the sanctions had dealt a serious blow to the global economy.