China on Saturday voiced strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to the European Union's recent move to include Chinese firms on its list of sanctions against Russia.
Despite China's repeated demarches and oppositions, the EU has included Chinese companies in its 20th package of sanctions against Russia, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce.
In a statement released on the ministry's official website, the spokesperson said that China has repeatedly reaffirmed its firm opposition to unilateral sanctions without authorization from the United Nations Security Council and to the so-called long-arm jurisdiction imposed by the EU on Chinese firms and individuals.
The move goes against the spirit of the common understanding reached by the leaders of China and the EU, seriously undermining mutual trust between China and the EU and the overall bilateral relations, the spokesperson noted.
China urges the EU to immediately remove the Chinese enterprises and individuals from its sanctions list, abide by the spirit of the consensus reached by the leaders of both sides and find solutions to their respective concerns through dialogue and consultation, the spokesperson added.
China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and all consequences will be borne by the EU, stated the spokesperson.
China strongly opposes EU arbitrary listing of Chinese firms in sanctions against Russia: spokesperson
Thai exporters are leveraging this year's China International Import Expo (CIIE) to seek new opportunities in China as innovation and shifting consumer demand reshape how Thailand's traditional agricultural products are grown, produced and brought to market.
For generations, families in Thailand have made a living from coconut palms, harvesting the fruit by hand and shipping it far beyond the orchards where it is grown.
Natthasak Manusrungsri's family has been exporting aromatic coconuts for more than two decades. But growing demand from China has transformed the scale of their business, driving production, expanding exports and inspiring new ways to bring this familiar fruit to consumers.
"Almost every factory that packs fresh coconuts depends on China as its main market, almost entirely. After Thailand received permission to export coconuts to China, volumes kept rising, driven by trends and by customers becoming more knowledgeable and health-conscious," said Natthasak Manusrungsri, managing director of K-Fresh Co.
But as demand grows, so does the pressure to innovate. Generations of agricultural knowledge are meeting a new generation of ideas.
For Thai producers, China offers enormous opportunities, but competition is intensifying. As consumer preferences change, exporters are shifting their focus beyond simply increasing sales to developing innovative products that offer greater convenience and bring more value to an increasingly competitive industry.
That transformation begins long before the coconuts leave the trees. Across a network of plantations, precision agriculture is helping farmers monitor growing conditions, identify problem areas, and improve yields, while maintaining the quality of Thailand's renowned coconuts.
Inside the factory, innovation takes a different form. Even the simple act of opening a coconut has been redesigned. A patented mechanism allows consumers to open it with a push.
"Innovation matters for both the farm and production, so we can deliver the highest quality to our customers. So, we practice precision agriculture. And in the factory, we focus on innovation to make it easier for consumers to open and enjoy, bringing quality products to consumers around the world and in China," said Manusrungsri.
For the farmers who tend these palms, the rhythm of life remains much as it has for generations. But beyond the orchards, almost everything else is changing.
And at CIIE 2026, Thailand's humble coconut is showing how an age-old harvest can find new value in a world of changing tastes and possibilities.
Thai coconut exporter taps CIIE to promote industry innovation
