China adds 14 EU entities to export control list over Russia-related sanctions

BEIJING, July 24 (Reuters) - China is banning the export of dual-use items to 14 additional European Union entities with immediate effect, the Commerce Ministry said on Friday, adding that the measure was in response to the EU's latest sanctions against Russia. 

The EU adopted on Thursday its 21st package of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine, and the Commerce Ministry said 14 Chinese mainland and Hong Kong enterprises had been put under sanction.

The European entities banned by China from receiving dual-use items include German automotive and arms manufacturer Rheinmetall AG and Polish electronics company Vigo Photonics S.A., the ministry said in a statement.

It said foreign organisations and individuals were also prohibited from transferring or supplying dual-use items originating in China to the entities, while Chinese exporters may apply for permission in exceptional cases.

In response, EU Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho said the bloc was analysing China's newly announced measures and would liaise with member states and with the companies concerned.

"We will seek clarification with our counterparts in China in order to better understand what is at stake," she said.

Dual-use items are goods, software or technologies that have both civilian and military applications, including certain rare earth elements that are essential for making drones and chips.

Beijing's export control list has most frequently targeted U.S. and Japanese entities. In April, it placed seven European entities on the list over arms sales to Taiwan in a rare case of Europe-targeted sanctions linked to the Taiwan issue.

The EU said in a statement on Thursday that it had added 51 new entities - including some based in China - to the list of those subject to tighter export curbs on dual-use goods and technologies due to their support of Russia's military and industrial complex.

(Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Additional reporting by Inti Landauro in Brussels;Editing by Gareth Jones and Helen Popper)