China bans dual-use exports to 7 European entities over Taiwan arms links

BEIJING: China has banned the export of dual-use items to seven European entities, accusing them of involvement in arms sales to Taiwan, the Commerce Ministry said on Friday.

The ministry placed the entities on its export control list with immediate effect, in what marks a rare case of sanctions targeting European firms over Taiwan-related defence ties.

Among those named are German defence electronics company Hensoldt AG and Belgium-based arms manufacturer FN Browning.

Beijing said the companies had participated in arms sales to Taiwan or “colluded with Taiwan,” according to a statement from a ministry spokesperson.

There was no immediate reaction from the companies, the European Union, or Taiwan’s government.

Dual-use items refer to goods, software or technologies that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, including components linked to drones, semiconductors and advanced defence systems.

The ministry said foreign organisations and individuals are now prohibited from transferring or supplying such items from China to the listed entities, adding that any related activities must stop immediately.

It said Beijing had informed the European Union through an export control dialogue mechanism prior to the announcement.

“The measures only apply to dual-use items and do not affect normal economic and trade exchanges between China and Europe,” the ministry spokesperson said, adding that “law-abiding EU entities have no need to worry.”

China views Taiwan as its territory and has repeatedly objected to foreign arms sales to the island, which relies heavily on U.S. military support.

While large-scale European arms exports to Taiwan have been largely absent for decades, Taipei has strengthened informal defence and political ties with parts of Central and Eastern Europe in recent years, particularly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only its people have the right to decide the island’s future.