US Announces Nearly 300 Fresh Sanctions Against Chinese and Hong Kong Firms Linked to Ukraine Conflict

On Wednesday, the US revealed an extensive array of approximately 300 fresh sanctions, singling out entities in China and Hong Kong for their alleged support to Russia amidst its conflict with Ukraine.

These sanctions come on the heels of repeated warnings from US officials, including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, cautioning China against supplying Russia with dual-use items that could bolster its military efforts in Ukraine.

This latest move by the US represents a broader crackdown, encompassing nearly 300 sanctions worldwide, with the aim of obstructing third-party involvement in augmenting Russia's military capabilities in the Ukrainian conflict. Targets span across various countries, including Russia itself, as well as Azerbaijan, Belgium, Slovakia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. Notably, over a dozen Chinese and Hong Kong-based companies are also in the crosshairs, accused of furnishing Russia with aerospace, manufacturing, and technology equipment with potential military applications.

Among these entities, Tulun International and Finder Technology Limited, headquartered in Hong Kong, have been singled out for their roles as intermediaries in the procurement and export of crucial electronic components used in Russian military endeavors. Tulun International has allegedly been reselling navigation systems for Russian military drones, while Finder Technology has reportedly shipped substantial quantities of electronic integrated circuits, some of which are utilized in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In China, Juhang Aviation Technology Shenzhen Co., Ltd. is accused of exporting items categorized under various priority tiers by the Department of Commerce, including UAV engines and sensors, to entities in Russia supporting its military operations, purportedly aiding Russia in bolstering its military capabilities vis-a-vis Ukraine.

The US government asserts that these sanctions are designed to disrupt supply chains supporting Russia's military-industrial complex, including its biological and chemical weapons programs, while also aiming to thwart efforts to evade existing sanctions.

China, however, vehemently denies US allegations, characterizing them as baseless and accusing the US of hypocrisy given its substantial support to Ukraine. China maintains that its stance on Ukraine is impartial and lawful, emphasizing its strict regulation of dual-use item exports in accordance with domestic laws and regulations. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin has underscored China's non-involvement in instigating the Ukraine crisis and its refusal to be scapegoated, asserting China's right to conduct normal trade and economic activities with Russia and other nations while safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests.