Trending 
China’s Commerce Minister has lodged a formal protest with his European Union (EU) counterpart regarding the EU’s recent inclusion of two Chinese banks in its latest sanctions package against Russia.
The move comes just ahead of a high-level summit in Beijing where EU leaders Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen are set to engage in talks with top Chinese officials.
The EU’s 18th round of economic measures against Russia, adopted less than a week ago, aims to intensify pressure on the Kremlin by targeting entities supporting its war efforts in Ukraine.
This package includes a lower price cap on Moscow’s oil exports, as well as sanctions on a Russian-owned oil refinery in India and the two aforementioned Chinese financial institutions.
During discussions with EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic on Tuesday, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao expressed “solemn representations” over the blacklisting of the banks.
Brussels maintains that China’s strengthening economic and political ties with Russia since the 2022 invasion constitute tacit support, helping Moscow withstand extensive Western sanctions.
China, however, vehemently denies these allegations. Few concrete outcomes are anticipated from Thursday’s summit, which will address contentious issues like trade and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
