China expands counter-sanctions law to target foreign entities, individuals

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has issued a directive to broaden the scope of the Law on Countering Foreign Sanctions, marking a significant expansion of Beijing's legal response to foreign measures it deems harmful to its sovereignty.

The move was officially announced by the State Council, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Under the newly expanded regulation, China will not only focus on foreign governments but also target individuals and entities abroad that are seen as actively undermining China’s national interests. The law allows the Chinese government to take a variety of punitive actions, including freezing assets, imposing travel bans, and enacting other forced measures against foreign actors engaged in "anti-China" litigation or policies.

Moreover, the new order explicitly prohibits the enforcement of foreign judgments within China that are seen as discriminatory or detrimental to Chinese interests. This provides the government with broader tools to resist foreign legal pressures and sanctions that Beijing believes infringe on its sovereignty.

One of the most significant provisions of the order is the empowerment of Chinese citizens and companies to take legal action against foreign entities or individuals assisting in the implementation of foreign sanctions. The new regulations allow lawsuits to demand financial compensation and halt the enforcement of foreign sanctions or policies that China perceives as unjust.

The move comes amid rising tensions between China and the United States, particularly over trade policies. Earlier this month, Beijing warned that it would take countermeasures in response to what it described as "arbitrary tariffs" imposed by the US.

By Vafa Guliyeva