China's Ministry of Commerce today expressed "grave dissatisfaction and resolute opposition" to EU restrictions blocking Chinese companies from public medical equipment procurement tenders, denouncing them as "unilateral protectionist measures" during a critical moment in bilateral relations.

Key Official Statements

1. Formal Protest:

   • Accused EU of "persisting with unilateral tools to erect new trade barriers"

   • Warns measures "harm Chinese firms' interests and undermine fair competition"

   • Criticizes EU for ignoring China's "goodwill and sincerity" in bilateral dialogues

2. Countermeasures Threatened:

   • Vowed to "take all necessary measures to firmly defend Chinese companies' legitimate rights"

   • Demanded "immediate correction of these wrong practices"

3. Diplomatic Context:

   • Reaffirmed willingness to implement leadership-level agreements

   • Proposed continued dialogue to resolve trade frictions "appropriately"

   • Highlighted 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations

Background of Dispute

• Triggered by EU Commission's Friday announcement restricting Chinese access to Europe's €42bn medical device market

• Uses 2022 "International Procurement Instrument" (IPI) citing lack of "reciprocity" in government procurement

• Affects major Chinese medtech exporters:
  ✓ Mindray (patient monitors)
  ✓ United Imaging (MRI systems)
  ✓ MicroPort (cardiovascular devices)