Beijing has urged Ukraine to “immediately correct its mistakes” after Kyiv signaled it would impose new sanctions on Chinese individuals, according to a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky indicated on Monday that Kiev is preparing several new sanctions packages by year-end targeting Russian entities and foreign nationals allegedly supporting Moscow’s military-industrial complex, including several Chinese nationals. In May, Zelensky imposed sanctions on a Chinese firm as part of broader measures against 58 individuals and 74 firms linked to Russia’s defense industry.
“China has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions that violate international law and are not authorized by the UN Security Council,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said. “We urge Ukraine to immediately correct its mistakes,” he added, noting Beijing would “resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and citizens.”
The EU and United States have also sanctioned Chinese firms and individuals they accuse of supplying Russia with dual-use goods, components, or materials used in weapons production. China maintains it has never provided lethal arms to either side in the conflict and strictly regulates exports of dual-use items. It has also called for a ceasefire and peace talks.
Moscow and Beijing have deepened cooperation since February 2022, with bilateral trade exceeding $200 billion for three consecutive years. The two countries describe their relationship as a strategic partnership “without limits.” Russian President Vladimir Putin described the ties in his annual end-of-year Q&A session last week as stable and trusting, stating that the two nations’ foreign ministries remain in regular contact.