EU sanctions 19 Chinese companies for links to Russia.

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 giants.

The EU's 14th round of 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 businesses.

These companies are now subject to stringent restrictions on the sale of “dual-use goods and technologies” that could be used to “enhance Russia’s defense and security sector.”

China denies Western accusations that it is supporting Russia's military campaign.

Notably, among the new companies added to the EU's "blacklist" are two major Chinese satellite companies, accused of selling satellites and satellite imagery to Russia's Wagner Group.

The EU has sanctioned Chinese satellite giant Chang Guang Satellite Technology (CGST). Photo: Space News

Last October, an AFP investigation revealed that Wagner had signed a contract worth over $30 million in 2022 with the Chinese company Beijing Yunze Technology Co., Ltd. to purchase two satellites and use imagery from them.

The contract was signed in November 2022, about nine months after Russia launched its “special military operation” in Ukraine, where the Wagner Group – under the leadership 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 technological expertise and the number of satellites it operates. Chang Guang has also been added to the EU sanctions list this time.

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 supplying satellite imagery of locations in Ukraine to entities linked to Wagner and Prigozhin.

According to AFP, even if China does not directly transfer weapons to Russia, the US and EU still accuse it of selling components and equipment to Moscow's military-industrial complex.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian dismissed these claims as "false information."

Companies based in Russia account for about half of the 61 entities added to the EU's "blacklist" on June 24.

In addition to the 19 Chinese companies, the EU also sanctioned 9 companies from Türkiye, 2 from Kyrgyzstan, 1 from India, 1 from Kazakhstan, and 1 from 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