China rejects sanctions as Ukraine war tops summit agenda

By LORNE COOK, SAMUEL PETREQUIN and KEN MORITSUGU
Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — China is renewing its criticism of Western sanctions against Russia and says it won’t be forced to choose sides in the conflict in Ukraine. It comes as the European Union seeks China’s assurances that it won’t help Russia circumvent the economic sanctions. At an annual summit Friday, EU officials say they are looking for signs that Beijing is willing to cooperate on bringing an end to the war. Other topics for the virtual meeting include China’s travel ban on members of the European Parliament; Beijing’s economic boycott of EU member Lithuania over its relations with Taiwan; the fate of a stalled investment agreement; and issues surrounding civil and political rights under China’s authoritarian Communist Party regime.