China's measures target EU sanctions against Chinese firms: spokesman

China's export control measures target the European Union's wrongful sanctions against Chinese firms, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Monday.

China's Ministry of Commerce on Friday announced a decision to add 14 EU entities to its export control list to safeguard national security and interests and fulfill international non-proliferation obligations.

The measures were taken in response to the EU's moves to put 14 enterprises from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong under sanctions in its latest sanctions package against Russia, the ministry said.

"Let me stress that China’s measures are a response to the EU’s erroneous move of listing and sanctioning Chinese companies. The measures do not target any specific country," Lin said.

China's measures target EU sanctions against Chinese firms: spokesman

China's measures target EU sanctions against Chinese firms: spokesman

Shanghai Futures Exchange steel contracts closed lower on Friday.

The most-active rebar futures for January 2027 finished the day session at 3,047.00 yuan (about 456.75 U.S. dollars) per tonne, down 0.55 percent from the previous settlement.

The hot-rolled coil futures for January 2027 settled at 3,209.00 yuan (about 481.03 U.S. dollars) per tonne, down 0.43 percent.

Rebar is mainly used in construction for buildings, bridges and infrastructure. Hot-rolled coil is a flat steel product widely used across the manufacturing sector, including in automobiles, home appliances, machinery and pipes.

Both contracts are among the most actively traded steel futures in the world and serve as key price references for the Chinese and global steel markets.

Chinese steel futures close lower Friday