New Zealand and Australia yesterday welcomed the measures, but both stopped short of introducing their own on China, a major export market for their goods. “Frankly ... we are not worried at all,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying (華春瑩) told reporters. Reinhard Butikofer, a German legislator targeted by the sanctions, said the response was “brazen and ridiculous”. The EU faces a delicate balancing act over relations with China, as it treats Beijing as a rival, but also a potential economic partner. Late last year, Brussels sealed a major investment accord with China after seven years of negotiations.

Source: Taipei Times March 23, 2021 16:01 UTC