Van der Leyen threatens to sanction Chinese companies
The EU is still proceeding unilaterally. On September 19 local time, the European Commission unveiled the 19th round of sanctions against Russia, also turning its focus toward Chinese companies.
On that day, President of the European Commission, von der Leyen, issued a video statement saying that in order to combat Russian energy revenue, this round of sanctions will target refineries, oil traders and petrochemical companies in third countries including China, and for the first time will sanction cryptocurrency platforms and prohibit related transactions. The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kallas, said that the EU has proposed further measures against "actors from China and other countries that support Russia's military industry," and will also restrict Russia's access to key technologies and resources such as artificial intelligence (AI) and geospatial data.
For the new round of sanctions, several foreign media described the EU's stance toward China and India as stronger, with many measures aimed at "pleasing the United States" and "winning over Trump."
Chinese spokespersons have repeatedly emphasized that China has always opposed unilateral sanctions without international law basis or authorization from the UN Security Council. China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and financial institutions.
Von der Leyen stated in her statement that the EU aims to hold accountable those who "violate the sanctions by purchasing oil to fuel Russia's war," and "target refineries, oil traders and petrochemical companies in third countries including China."
She announced that the EU will ban the purchase of Russian liquefied natural gas, expand sanctions on its oil industry, and lower the price ceiling for Russian crude oil to $47.6 per barrel, with comprehensive trading bans facing Russian oil trading companies and Rosneft.
"Over the past three years, Russia's oil revenue in Europe has declined by 90%. Now we are turning the page completely," von der Leyen said. The EU is imposing trading bans on more Russian banks and banks in third countries, and is increasing efforts to crack down on evasion of sanctions.
"Therefore, our restrictive measures will target cryptocurrency platforms for the first time and prohibit cryptocurrency transactions," she continued. "We are listing foreign banks related to Russia's alternative payment service system. And we are restricting transactions with entities in special economic zones." However, she did not specify the countries of these foreign banks.
According to EU procedures, the new sanctions measures must be approved unanimously by all 27 member states before they can take effect.
On the same day, Kallas further revealed that the EU proposed further measures against "important actors from China and other third countries that support Russia's military industry."
She said that these new sanctions will further restrict Russia's access to technologies, including artificial intelligence and geospatial data, and critical resources used for weapons production, including resources from foreign suppliers such as China and India.
Two EU diplomats told "Politico" that after the ambassador-level meeting on the afternoon of the 19th, the EU may add about 12 Chinese entities and three Indian entities to the sanctions list, prohibiting EU companies from doing business with them. In addition, two Chinese companies will face trading bans.
An EU official who did not want to reveal his name said that the target of the sanctions is to "stop funds from flowing into" Russia. At the same time, the proposed gas ban is intended to "permanently stop importing gas from unreliable suppliers."
Dan Jørgensen, the EU's energy affairs chief, said the EU is "ready" to implement the ban ahead of schedule. "We have reduced gas demand and invested in cleaner energy."
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843756227084359/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.