China sanctions not solution to Hong Kong crisis: EU

• The EU expresses its grave concern at the steps taken by China on 28 May, which are not in conformity with its international commitments.

BRUSSELS: The European Union said Friday that China's imposition of a security law on Hong Kong had damaged ties with Beijing but that imposing sanctions would not solve the crisis.

"The EU expresses its grave concern at the steps taken by China on 28 May, which are not in conformity with its international commitments," EU top diplomat Josep Borrell said, on behalf of 27 member states.

"EU relations with China are based on mutual respect and trust. This decision further calls into question China's will to uphold its international commitments," he said, after talks with foreign ministers.

But, asked whether Brussels might threaten sanctions after China's rubber-stamp parliament approved the new law, Borrell said: "I don't think that sanctions are the way to solve problems in China."