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China-EU relations
ChinaDiplomacy

China firms in EU firing line as Hungary yields to anti-Russia sanctions package

  • Three mainland Chinese companies and one based in Hong Kong could be blacklisted and banned from trading with Europe as soon as Wednesday
  • They are accused of getting around the bloc’s efforts to choke Russian supplies of European-made dual-use goods

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The European Union is poised to sanction Chinese companies after Hungary declared it would not veto the latest punitive package aimed at Russia. Photo: Bloomberg
Finbarr Berminghamin Brussels
The European Union could blacklist Chinese firms accused of circumventing sanctions as soon as Wednesday, after Hungary said it would not veto the latest package of punitive measures targeting Russia.
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“There is no reason to veto it,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in Brussels after a meeting with his ministerial counterparts on Monday evening, adding that he thought “the EU is making the wrong decision”.

On Sunday, Chinese Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong – who was in Budapest to sign cooperation agreements on policing and security – told Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban that Hungary was “a good friend and companion who has stood the test of time”, according to a statement from China.

Diplomats said that EU ambassadors could now finalise the 13th package of sanctions at a meeting on Wednesday, since Hungary was the only holdout during initial discussions last week.

Three mainland Chinese firms and one Hong Kong company would be blacklisted and banned from trading with EU companies as part of the package, for allegedly circumventing the bloc’s efforts to choke the supply of European-made dual-use goods to Russia.

Media reports have named the companies as mainland China-based Guangzhou Ausay Technology Co Limited, Shenzhen Biguang Trading Co Limited, Yilufa Electronics Limited, and the Hong Kong-based RG Solutions Limited.

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