On the 13th, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce released a statement, stating that China has decided to include two banks, UAB Urbo Bankas and AB Mano Bankas, from the EU in the countermeasure list, and will take the following countermeasures: Prohibit organizations and individuals within our country from conducting any transactions, cooperation, or other activities with them.

Public information shows that the headquarters of both banks subjected to countermeasures are located in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Industry insiders pointed out that the total assets of the two banks amount to 668 million euros (approximately RMB 5.6 billion) and 450 million euros (approximately RMB 3.78 billion), which is equivalent to smaller rural commercial banks in China. The scale of these two banks is comparable to the two Chinese financial institutions listed on the EU's sanctions list for the first time last month.

The South China Morning Post noted that Lithuania has repeatedly interfered in China's internal affairs, and due to issues related to Taiwan, it has become a target of Chinese sanctions.

In November 2021, Lithuania approved the establishment of a so-called "Taiwan Representative Office in Lithuania" by the Taiwanese authorities. China announced the downgrade of bilateral diplomatic relations with Lithuania to the level of chargé d'affaires. In August 2022, China imposed sanctions on Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Vaičiukevičiūtė, suspending all forms of communication with the Lithuanian Ministry of Transport and Communications, and halting exchanges and cooperation in the international road transport sector.

UAB Urbo Bankas

Regarding the two EU banks subject to countermeasures, the official website states that Urbo Bankas has been in operation since November 24, 1992, and changed its name to the current one, Medicinos Bankas, in February 2024. Its vision section mentions the hope to "become the preferred comprehensive bank for small and medium-sized enterprises and to compete equally with other banks in private banking services."

As of the first quarter of 2025, the total assets of Urbo Bankas reached 668 million euros, with a net profit of 1.223 million euros for that quarter.

AB Mano Bankas

Regarding Mano Bankas, the official website states that in 2018, it became the first bank in Lithuania to obtain a specialized banking license, focusing on commercial loans and payment services. It has long cooperated with the European Investment Fund (EIF) to provide loans to Lithuanian SMEs under favorable conditions.

As of the first quarter of 2025, the total assets of Mano Bankas exceeded 450 million euros, with a net profit of 1.076 million euros for that quarter.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated that the background for China's decision to include two EU banks in the countermeasure list is that on July 18 this year, the EU included two Chinese financial institutions in the sanctions list during the 18th round of sanctions against Russia.

The Chinese government pointed out that it hopes the EU will cherish the long-term good cooperative relationship formed between China and the EU and its member states in the fields of trade, economy, and finance, correct the erroneous practices, and stop actions that harm China's interests and undermine Sino-European cooperation.

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