China rejects sanctions as Ukraine war tops summit agenda

China on Friday renewed its criticism of Western sanctions against Russia, as top European Union officials sought assurances from Beijing that it would not help Moscow circumvent the economic measures imposed in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry also laid blame for the war in Ukraine at least partially on the United States for pushing to expand the NATO military alliance closer to Russia's borders. Twenty-one of the EU's 27 countries are also NATO member states.

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At a virtual summit, European Council President Charles Michel, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell sought signs from Chinese President and Communist Party leader Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang that Beijing would help to end the war in Ukraine.

Von der Leyen said leaders from both sides "exchanged very clearly opposing views" on many topics but expressed hopes that China would use its influence as a major power and permanent member of the UN Security Council to convince Russia it should put an end to the war.

Ursula von der Leyen (left) and Charles Michel give a press conference after a virtual summit on Friday. AFP

She added that she expects China at least not to interfere with Western sanctions targeting Russia, even if Beijing does not endorse them.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian earlier warned at a daily briefing that his country "disapproves of solving problems through sanctions, and we are even more opposed to unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that have no basis in international law."

China says it is not taking sides in the conflict but it has declared a "no limits” partnership with Russia and refuses to condemn the invasion. Beijing routinely amplifies Russian disinformation about the conflict, and does not refer to it as an invasion or a war in keeping with Russian practice.

Michel and Von der Leyen did not say whether they received guarantees from Chinese officials that Beijing would not provide financial or military aid to Russia. Von der Leyen insisted that any support to Russia's ability to wage its war would lead to "a major reputational damage for China" in Europe.

"The business sector is watching very closely the events and evaluating how countries are positioning themselves," she said. "This is a question of trust, of reliability and of course of decisions on long-term investments."

Associated Press