The US unveiled nearly 300 new sanctions on Wednesday, including sanctions that target entities in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Hong Kong for their support for Russia in its war with Ukraine.
The sanctions were implemented following persistent warnings from US officials, including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. These officials have explicitly cautioned China against the provision of dual-use items—materials that can be used for both civilian and military purposes—to Russia, asserting that these items are critical in enhancing Russian military capabilities in the conflict against Ukraine.
This action from the US is a more comprehensive implementation of nearly 300 new sanctions aimed at individuals and companies globally. It has been enacted with the stated goal of restricting third-party involvement in supporting Russia’s military capabilities in the conflict in Ukraine. They have been imposed on entities within Russia and other countries such as Azerbaijan, Belgium, Slovakia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. Specifically, they also target over a dozen companies in China and Hong Kong. These companies are identified for supplying dual-use aerospace, manufacturing, and technology equipment to Russia.
Companies like Tulun International and Finder Technology Limited, both based in Hong Kong, have been highlighted for acting as intermediaries in procuring and exporting critical electronic components used in Russian military applications. Tulun International has been reselling navigation systems installed in Russian military drones. At the same time, Finder Technology exported significant quantities of electronic integrated circuits, including those with applications in uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). In the PRC, Juhang Aviation Technology Shenzhen Co., Ltd. exported items classified under various priority tiers by the Department of Commerce, including UAV engines and sensors, to Russia-based entities supporting Russia’s military. These transactions have allegedly played a part in facilitating Russia’s enhancement of its military capabilities for Ukraine.
The US government has stated that these sanctions are intended to disrupt the supply chains that support Russia’s military-industrial complex, including its biological and chemical weapons programs. The measures are also aimed at curtailing efforts to evade existing sanctions.
China has firmly rejected accusations from the US regarding its economic and trade relations with Russia, labeling these claims as unfounded and criticizing the US for what it sees as hypocrisy in light of the significant aid the US provides to Ukraine. It asserts that its stance on Ukraine is impartial and fair and notes that it strictly regulates exports of dual-use items according to its laws and regulations. The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin stressed that “China is neither the creator of the Ukraine crisis nor a party to it. We never fan the flames or seek selfish gains, and we will certainly not accept being the scapegoat.”
China maintains that it has the right to engage in normal trade and economic activities with Russia and other countries and insists on protecting its legitimate rights and interests.
