Exclusive | EU set to push Xi Jinping to stop Chinese firms getting around sanctions on Russia

The European Union (EU) leaders are set to confront Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the alleged involvement of 13 Chinese entities in circumventing sanctions imposed on Russia. The EU leaders will meet with President Xi at a crucial summit in Beijing next week. His response to their request could potentially influence their decision to publicly identify the companies implicated in the latest round of sanctions. These sanctions are specifically designed to prevent companies associated with the Russian military from accessing goods manufactured in Europe.

Initially, Chinese firms were exempted from the EU's 12th round of sanctions. However, if the EU fails to secure a solid commitment to action, the names of these companies may be added to the sanctions list. Key member states, including France and Germany, are inclined to address this issue with the highest echelons of leadership in Beijing. There is a prevailing sentiment that decision-making is highly centralized within the Chinese political system. While dialogue with Chinese diplomats in Europe is ongoing, the EU is keen to elevate the discussion to a higher level.

EU leaders, including Council and European Commission Presidents Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the bloc's top diplomat Josep Borrell, are preparing to travel to the Chinese capital for two days of talks on December 7 and 8. Ambassadors from the 27 member states convened in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss summit preparations and approved an orientation note prepared by Michel's team to establish a mandate for the summit. The circumvention of sanctions was identified as the primary issue by attendees, although the specifics regarding the Chinese companies in question were not discussed in detail.