China's trade minister Wang Wentao has protested against the EU sanctioning two Chinese banks in the context of sanctions against Russia.

Wang Wentao has voiced displeasure over the inclusion of Chinese banks in the European Union's 18th sanctions package targeting Russia over the war in Ukraine. This came in a meeting with EU commissioner Maros Sefcovic. At the same time, European officials such as Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen will visit Beijing for talks on trade and the war. The EU accuses China of helping the Russian economy resist sanctions, charges Beijing denies.