China Denies Its Firms Backed Russia’s Military in Ukraine

 

China has not provided military assistance to parties involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and it firmly opposes sanctions imposed by the US on Chinese companies, the Chinese Embassy in Washington told the Global Times on Wednesday.

“China’s position on the Ukrainian issue is consistent and clear. We have been playing a constructive role in promoting peace talks and have not provided military assistance to the conflicting parties,” the state media outlet said, citing a statement from the embassy.

That response came after the US Commerce Department added five Chinese firms to a trade blacklist for supporting Russia’s military and industrial base.

The Commerce Department said the targeted companies supplied items to Russian “entities of concern” before February 24 – and “continue to contract to supply Russian entity listed and sanctioned parties.”

The five Chinese companies were Connec Electronic, World Jetta (HK), Logistics Limited, King Pai Technology, Winninc Electronic and Sinno Electronics Co Ltd.

Another 31 entities in multiple countries including Russia, Singapore and the UK were also on the blacklist. Most of them – 25 out of the 36 – have operations based in China.

The embassy claimed that the “long-arm jurisdiction” of the sanctions imposed by the US “are against international law and basic norms governing international relations,” adding that “China has always been firmly opposed to such behaviour.”

“China will take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its companies.” the embassy said.

 

• Jim Pollard

 

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