The European Union (EU) on Monday imposed sanctions on 19 Chinese companies, aiming to punish what the West believes is Beijing’s support for Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. The list of sanctioned entities, published in the EU’s Official Journal, includes several companies based in Hong Kong, as well as two prominent global satellite giants. This move marks the 14th package of sanctions against Russia, adding 61 new companies to the list of those accused of directly aiding Russia’s military-industrial complex in the Ukrainian conflict, bringing the total number of sanctioned firms to 675. These companies are now facing stringent restrictions on the sale of “dual-use goods and technology,” which could be used to enhance Russia’s defense and security sector. While China denies Western accusations of supporting Russia’s military campaign, the EU’s sanctions highlight growing concerns about Beijing’s role in the conflict. Among the newly added companies are two major players in the Chinese satellite industry, implicated in the sale of satellites and satellite imagery to Russia’s infamous Wagner mercenary group. An investigation by AFP in October 2022 revealed that Wagner signed a contract worth over $30 million with Beijing Yunze Technology Co Ltd, a Chinese firm, to acquire two satellites and utilize their imagery. This contract was signed in November 2022, more than half a year into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, during which the Wagner group, under its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, played a crucial role in the battlefield. The two high-resolution satellites belonged to Chang Guang Satellite Technology, a leading global satellite company, which has been added to the EU’s sanctions list. Another company named on Monday was Head Aerospace Technology, which sells satellite images and was previously placed on a US sanctions list in 2023 for supplying the Wagner Group. Despite China’s denial of directly supplying weapons to Russia, the United States and Europe accuse China of selling components and equipment to Moscow’s military industry. However, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian has dismissed these claims as “false information.” In addition to the 19 Chinese companies, the EU’s sanctions list also includes nine companies from Turkey, two from Kyrgyzstan, one from India, one from Kazakhstan, and one from the United Arab Emirates, making up approximately half of the 61 entities added to the list on Monday.
