The European Union (EU) on June 24 imposed sanctions on 19 Chinese companies in response to what the West believes is Beijing's support for Russia's military campaign in Ukraine, AFP reported.
According to the French news agency, a list published in the EU's Official Journal includes several companies based in Hong Kong (China) as well as two global satellite industry "giants".
The 14th package of EU sanctions against Russia has added 61 new companies to the list of entities accused of directly “supporting the Russian military-industrial complex” in the conflict in Ukraine, bringing the total to 675 enterprises.
These companies are now subject to strong restrictions on the sale of “dual-use goods and technologies” that could be used to “strengthen Russia’s defense and security sector.”
China denies Western accusations that it is supporting Russia's military campaign.
Notably, among the new companies blacklisted by the EU are two major companies in the Chinese satellite industry, accused of being involved in selling satellites and satellite imagery to Russia's Wagner group.
EU sanctions Chinese satellite giant Chang Guang Satellite Technology (CGST). Photo: Space News
In October last year, an AFP investigation revealed that Wagner signed a contract worth more than $30 million in 2022 with China's Beijing Yunze Technology Co., Ltd. to buy two satellites and use images from them.
The contract was signed in November 2022, about nine months after Russia launched a “special military operation” in Ukraine, where the Wagner group – under the direction of “boss” Yevgeny Prigozhin – played a significant role.
These two high-resolution satellites are owned by Chang Guang Satellite Technology (CGST), considered one of the world's leading space companies, both in terms of technology and number of satellites. This time Chang Guang was also added to the EU sanctions list.
Another company named by the EU is Head Aerospace Technology, which sells satellite imagery and was placed on the US sanctions list in 2023. Head Aerospace Technology is accused of providing satellite imagery of locations in Ukraine to entities linked to Wagner and Mr Prigozhin.
According to AFP, even though China does not directly transfer weapons to Russia, the US and EU still accuse the country of selling components and equipment to Moscow's military industry.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian dismissed the claims as “false information.”
Russia-based companies account for about half of the 61 entities added to the EU “blacklist” on June 24.
In addition to 19 Chinese companies, this time the EU also sanctioned 9 companies from Türkiye, 2 companies in Kyrgyzstan, 1 company in India, 1 company in Kazakhstan and 1 company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Minh Duc (According to AFP/France24, Brussels Times)
Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/eu-trung-phat-19-cong-ty-trung-quoc-vi-lien-quan-den-nga-a669923.html
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