China and Germany exchanged scathing remarks on Ukraine.
Beijing has warned the EU against imposing sanctions on Chinese companies, while Berlin has said “neutrality” in the dispute means taking Russia’s side.
During the second meeting last month, the two foreign ministers, Qin Gang and Annalena Burbock, repeatedly clashed over the responsibility of world powers on the world stage.
Qin Gang warned the EU against imposing restrictive measures on Chinese companies with links to Russia, saying Beijing would take steps to protect its interests.
Commenting on discussions within the EU on possible sanctions against eight Chinese companies, he said that if restrictive measures are taken, “China will also take necessary measures to protect the legitimate interests of Chinese companies”.
EU ambassadors are meeting on Wednesday to begin talks on the eleventh round of sanctions over Russia’s war in Ukraine.
As part of the package, the EU executive recommended stopping the supply of sensitive technologies to eight Chinese companies suspected of selling them to Russia, according to a document obtained by AFP.
Chinese and Russian companies are engaged in “normal exchanges and cooperation” which “should not be affected”, Qin Gang said after talks with Burbock in Berlin.
China is “firmly opposed” to other countries imposing their own regulations or taking unilateral action against it, added the Chinese foreign minister, who is on a tour of Europe that also includes visits to France and China. Norway.
Burbock declined to discuss specific measures the bloc might take against China, but said the EU wanted to ensure that sanctions already in place against Russia “are not loosened in a roundabout way” by third countries. .
“This is especially critical when Russian arms companies buy war-related goods,” she said. “We expect all countries (and we expect this from China) to use their influence over their businesses to achieve these goals.”
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