KABUL (Pajhwok): China has banned the export of dual-use goods and technologies to 14 additional European Union entities with immediate effect, saying the move is a response to the EU’s latest package of sanctions against Russia.
According to Reuters, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced the measure on Friday after the European Union adopted its 21st package of sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine.
The ministry said the sanctions package includes 14 companies from mainland China and Hong Kong.
Among the European entities affected by China’s export restrictions are German defence and automotive manufacturer Rheinmetall AG and Polish electronics company Vigo Photonics S.A.
The ministry said foreign organisations and individuals are also prohibited from transferring or supplying China-origin dual-use goods and technologies to the listed entities. However, Chinese exporters may apply for special permission in exceptional cases.
Dual-use items are goods, software and technologies that have both civilian and military applications. They include certain rare earth materials that are essential for manufacturing products such as drones and advanced semiconductor chips.
In response to China’s announcement, European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho said the bloc was analysing the new measures and would remain in contact with EU member states and the affected companies.
“We will seek clarification with our counterparts in China in order to better understand what is at stake,” Pinho said.
The European Commission said on Thursday that it had added 51 new entities, including several based in China, to its list of organisations subject to tighter export restrictions on dual-use goods and technologies because of their support for Russia’s military and industrial complex.
China’s export control list has previously been used mainly against U.S. and Japanese entities.
In April, Beijing also placed seven European entities on the list over arms sales to Taiwan, marking one of the rare instances in which European organisations were targeted in sanctions related to the Taiwan issue.
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