China announces sanctions against European individuals, entities - China.org.cn

China on Monday announced sanctions against 10 individuals and four entities on the EU side, saying they had severely harmed China's sovereignty and interests and maliciously spread lies and disinformation.

The European Union (EU) imposed unilateral sanctions on relevant Chinese individuals and entity on March 22, citing the so-called human rights issues in Xinjiang, said a Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

The spokesperson said this move, based on nothing but lies and disinformation, disregards and distorts facts, grossly interferes in China's internal affairs, flagrantly breaches international law and basic norms governing international relations, and severely undermines China-EU relations.

"China firmly opposes and strongly condemns this," said the spokesperson, adding that the Chinese government is firmly determined to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.