【By Guan察者网, Liu Bai】The European Union is still stubbornly proceeding. On September 19th local time, the European Commission released the 19th round of sanctions against Russia, and also aimed its focus at Chinese companies.
On the same day, the President of the European Commission, von der Leyen, issued a video statement, saying that in order to strike at Russian energy income, this round of sanctions will target refineries, oil traders, and petrochemical companies in third countries including China, and for the first time, it will sanction cryptocurrency platforms and prohibit related transactions. The High Representative of the EU 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.
Regarding the new sanction package, several foreign media described that the EU took a tougher stance against China and India, with many measures aimed at "pleasing the United States" and "flattering Trump".
The Chinese spokesperson repeatedly emphasized that China has always opposed unilateral sanctions without international law basis and not authorized by the UN Security Council. China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and financial institutions.
Von der Leyen declared in her statement that the EU wants to hold accountable those who "violate the sanctions regulations by purchasing oil to fuel Russia's war," "targeting 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 sector, and lower the price cap on Russian crude oil to $47.6 per barrel, with comprehensive trading bans facing Russian oil trading companies and Rosneft.
Von der Leyen announces the 19th round of sanctions against Russia
"Over the past three years, Russia's oil revenue in Europe has decreased by 90%. Now we are turning the page completely," von der Leyen said. The EU is imposing transaction bans on more banks in Russia and third countries, and increasing efforts to crack down on sanctions evasion.
"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 require unanimous approval by all 27 member states before they can come into effect.
On the same day, Kallas further revealed that the EU has proposed further measures against "important actors from China and other third countries that support Russia's military industry".
She stated that these new sanctions will further limit Russia's access to technologies, including artificial intelligence and geospatial data, as well as key resources used for weapon production, including resources from foreign suppliers in 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 3 Indian entities to the sanctions list, prohibiting EU companies from doing business with them. In addition, two Chinese companies will face trading bans.
A EU official who did not want to reveal his name said that the target of the sanctions was to "block funds flowing into" Russia. At the same time, the proposed gas ban was intended to "permanently stop importing gas from unreliable suppliers".
EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said that the EU is "ready" to implement the ban in advance. "We have reduced gas demand and invested in cleaner energy."
Notably, the Trump administration has repeatedly pressured Western allies to impose tariffs as high as 100% on oil purchases from China and India. Analysts believe that even if the EU does not go that far, it is expected to include a large number of Chinese entities on the list.
Regarding von der Leyen's series of sanction packages, the American Atlantic Council research institution pointed out that "several measures seem to be aimed at pleasing US President Trump", taking a tougher stance against China and India. "Politico" also described that the EU is doing this to "strike Russia and please Trump".
The Hong Kong English media South China Morning Post noted that these new sanctions will exacerbate tensions between the EU and China. Previous EU measures targeting Chinese companies once triggered strong reactions from China.
In July, the EU included two Chinese financial institutions in the sanctions list during the 18th round of sanctions against Russia. China then retaliated, deciding to include the two banks UAB Urbo Bankas and AB Mano Bankas from the EU in the retaliation list, and taking the following countermeasures: Prohibiting organizations and individuals within China from conducting any transactions or cooperation activities with them.
Regarding the EU's unreasonable sanction actions, the Ministry of Commerce spokesperson stated that the EU ignored multiple negotiations and opposition from China, proceeded unilaterally, and continued to include some Chinese enterprises in the list in the 18th round of sanctions against Russia, and imposed sanctions on two Chinese financial institutions under "fabricated" charges. China expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this.
The spokesperson emphasized that China has always opposed unilateral sanctions without international law basis and not authorized by the UN Security Council. The EU's actions contradict the spirit of the consensus between Chinese and European leaders, causing serious negative impacts on Sino-European trade relations and financial cooperation. China urges the EU to immediately stop the wrong practice of listing Chinese enterprises and financial institutions. China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and financial institutions.
Under von der Leyen's leadership, the EU ignores the mutually beneficial relationship between China and the EU, and follows the footsteps of the Trump administration, which is truly regrettable.
It is worth noting that even the EU's own interests, this European politician cannot truly protect. On September 18, the Cologne Institute for Economic Research (IW) released a new study showing that the dependence of the United States on EU imports is much higher than generally perceived, and this dependence has significantly increased over the past decade.
German media pointed out that this dependence should have become the EU's negotiation capital, and researchers were surprised that the EU Commission President von der Leyen only managed to achieve a 15% tariff rate, "the EU could have taken a stronger stance in tariff negotiations with the United States".
This article is an exclusive contribution from Observers, and unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7552008192255869482/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author. Please express your attitude by clicking the [Up/Down] buttons below.