Beijing Warns EU After 27 Chinese Firms Included in 20th Russia Sanctions Package, Retaliates Against European Defence Companies
April 26, 2026 – 11:59 am
Summary:
China condemned the EU’s 20th sanctions package, which designated around 27 Chinese and Hong Kong entities for supplying dual-use goods to Russia’s military. Beijing retaliated within 24 hours by placing seven EU defence firms on its own export control list, focusing on the Taiwan issue rather than the Russia connection.
The EU Sanctioned Chinese Firms for Arming Russia. China Retaliated by Threatening Europe’s Defences.
The European Union included approximately 27 Chinese and Hong Kong entities in its latest sanctions package against Russia, a significant move after two years. China responded with formal condemnation, stating the action contradicted agreed-upon principles and undermined bilateral relations.
Within hours, China added seven EU defence firms to its export control list, banning all dual-use exports. This retaliatory measure was framed as punishment for “arms sales to or collusion with Taiwan,” a strategic shift that allows China to escalate tensions without directly referencing the Russia sanctions.
The Package
The 20th EU sanctions package, adopted on April 23 after resolving Hungarian and Slovakian objections, includes:
- 120 new listings, targeting individuals and entities in Russia’s military and energy sectors.
- Transaction bans on 20 Russian banks and four third-country institutions involved in circumvention.
- Designation of the Kyrgyz Republic as a high-risk jurisdiction for systematic circumvention of sanctions.
- A 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine, alongside the sanctions.
Chinese entities were sanctioned under two categories:
- Asset freezes for 16 entities in third countries providing dual-use goods or weapons systems to Russia, and
- Listings for 28 of 60 entities for various violations.