China Sanctions
CNChina is currently subject to 5 active sanctions programs imposed by Global Affairs Canada, European Union Council, Office of Foreign Assets Control and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. These measures include asset freeze, arms embargo, investment ban and financial restrictions. This page lists every program targeting China, the legal bases behind them, and the most recent changes.
Last updated 12 Jun 2026
Programs
5
Authorities
4
Restriction Types
4
Restrictions
Sanctioning Authorities
Sanctions Programs
Total designated: 13 (12 individuals, 1 entities)
Resources
The restrictive measures of this restrictive measures regime are described in a political Declaration of European Council made in Madrid, 27 June 1989 in relation to the events at the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989: "“The European Council, recalling the declaration of the Twelve of 6 June, strongly condemns the brutal repression taking place in China. It expresses its dismay at the pursuit of executions in spite of all the appeals of the international community. It solemnly requests the Chinese authorities to stop the executions and to put an end to the repressive actions against those who legitimately claim their democratic rights. The European Council requests the Chinese authorities to respect human rights and to take into account the hopes for freedom and democracy deeply felt by the population. It underlines that this is an essential element for the pursuit of the policy of reforms and openness that has been supported by the European Community and its Member States. (…) In the present circumstances, the European Council thinks it necessary to adopt the following measures: - raising the issue of human rights in China in the appropriate international fora; asking for the admittance of independent observers to attend the trials and to visit the prisons; - interruption by the Member States of the Community of military cooperation and an embargo on trade in arms with China; - suspension of bilateral ministerial and high-level contacts; - postponement by the Community and its Member States of new cooperation projects; - reduction of programmes of cultural, scientific and technical cooperation to only those activities that might maintain a meaning in the present circumstances; - prolongation by the Member States of visas to the Chinese students who wish it. Taking into account the climate of uncertainty created in the economic field by the present policy of the Chinese authorities, the European Council advocates the postponement of the examination of new requests for credit insurance and the postponement of the examination of new credits of the World Bank.” Adopted by: EU. No persons or entities are currently designated under this regime.
Sanctions program targeting securities investments that finance certain companies of the People's Republic of China identified as Chinese military companies or part of the Chinese military-industrial complex. Maintained via the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies (NS-CMIC) List.
Resources
+5 more
Under The Export Control Order 2008
Resources
UK arms embargo applied to mainland China and Hong Kong.
Resources
Recent Changes
Resources added
Added: 1 regulation(s), 2 federal_register_notice(s), 3 guidance(s), 1 list(s)
Resources added
Added: 2 federal_register(s), 1 regulation(s), 3 guidance(s), 1 list(s)
Target countries updated
Added: VE, NG, SS, CF, ML, BJ, CI, AE, PH, CN, KH, PK, AF, TR, GR. Removed: HR, JM, NI, ZW, HT, LB
Legal basis updated for OFAC Chinese Military Companies Sanctions
Legal bases changed
Resources added
Added: 2 executive_order(s), 2 federal_register_notice(s), 3 guidance(s), 1 general_license(s), 1 faq(s)
Resources added
Added: 1 guidance(s)
Resources added
Added: 2 Executive Order(s), 2 Federal Register Notice(s), 3 Guidance(s), 1 FAQ(s), 1 List(s), 1 General License(s)
Resources added
Added: 2 executive_order(s), 1 regulation(s), 2 federal_register_notice(s), 3 guidance(s), 1 list(s), 1 faq(s)
Restrictions removed
Removed: asset_freeze
New program: Specific restrictive measures in relation to the events at the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
New sanctions program detected: Specific restrictive measures in relation to the events at the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
Legal basis updated for OFAC Chinese Military Companies Sanctions
Added: Executive Order 14032 - Addressing the Threat from Securities Investments that Finance Certain Companies of the People's Republic of China (June 03, 2021). Removed: Executive Order 14032 - Addressing the Threat from Securities Investments that Finance Certain Companies of the People's Republic of China (June 3, 2021)
Resources added
Added: 2 Executive Order(s), 2 Federal Register Notice(s), 1 Regulation(s), 1 FAQ(s), 1 Guidance(s), 1 List(s)
Restrictions added
Added: asset_freeze
Resources added
Added: 2 Executive Order(s), 2 Federal Register Notice(s), 1 Regulation(s), 3 Guidance(s), 1 FAQ(s), 1 List(s)
Resources added
Added: 1 list(s), 2 executive_order(s), 1 regulation(s), 1 faq(s), 3 guidance(s), 1 general_license(s)
Target countries updated
Added: RU, CN, KP, LY, SS, AF, MM, CF, IL, US, SY, IR, TR, UA
Target countries updated
Added: CN, RU
Legal basis updated for OFAC Non-Proliferation Sanctions
Added: Executive Order 13883, Executive Order 13608, Executive Order 13382, Executive Order 13094, Executive Order 12938, UNSCR 1929, UNSCR 1803, UNSCR 1747, UNSCR 1737, UNSCR 1696, UNSCR 1540. Removed: Executive Order 13883 - Administration of Proliferation Sanctions and Amendment of Executive Order 12851, Executive Order 13608 - Prohibiting Certain Transactions With and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Foreign Sanctions Evaders With Respect to Iran and Syria, Executive Order 13382 - Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters, Executive Order 13094 - Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Executive Order 12938 - Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, UNSCR 1929 - Additional Sanctions on Iran, UNSCR 1803 - Increases Vigilance on Iranian Banks, UNSCR 1747 - Toughens Sanctions Against Iran, Adds Arms Embargo, UNSCR 1737 - Imposes Sanctions on Iran for Refusal to Halt Uranium Enrichment, UNSCR 1696 - Demands Iran Suspend Uranium Enrichment, UNSCR 1540 - Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
Resources added
Added: 5 Executive Order(s), 10 Federal Register Notice(s), 6 UN Security Council Resolution(s), 8 General License(s), 1 Guidance(s), 1 Sanctions Brochure(s)
Legal basis updated for OFAC Chinese Military Companies Sanctions
Added: Executive Order 14032 - Addressing the Threat from Securities Investments that Finance Certain Companies of the People's Republic of China (June 3, 2021). Removed: Executive Order 14032 - Addressing the Threat from Securities Investments that Finance Certain Companies of the People's Republic of China (June 03, 2021)
Resources added
Added: 1 list(s), 2 frequently_asked_questions(s), 3 guidance(s), 1 general_license(s), 2 executive_order(s), 3 federal_register_notice(s), 1 regulation(s), 1 administrative_action(s)
Restrictions removed
Removed: asset_freeze
Resources added
Added: 3 guidance(s), 3 report(s), 1 regulation(s)
Target countries updated
Added: CN
Resources added
Added: 2 Executive Order(s), 2 Federal Register Notice(s), 1 FAQ(s), 1 Interpretive Guidance(s), 1 Sanctions List(s), 1 General License(s), 1 Regulation(s)
Resources added
Added: 5 Executive Order(s), 10 Federal Register Notice(s), 11 General License(s), 1 Guidance(s), 1 Sanctions Brochure(s), 6 UN Security Council Resolution(s)
Resources added
Added: 2 executive_order(s), 1 regulation(s), 1 list(s), 3 guidance(s)
Legal basis updated for OFAC Non-Proliferation Sanctions
Added: Executive Order 13883 - Administration of Proliferation Sanctions and Amendment of Executive Order 12851, Executive Order 13608 - Prohibiting Certain Transactions With and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Foreign Sanctions Evaders With Respect to Iran and Syria, Executive Order 13382 - Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters, Executive Order 13094 - Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Executive Order 12938 - Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, UNSCR 1929 - Additional Sanctions on Iran, UNSCR 1803 - Increases Vigilance on Iranian Banks, UNSCR 1747 - Toughens Sanctions Against Iran, Adds Arms Embargo, UNSCR 1737 - Imposes Sanctions on Iran for Refusal to Halt Uranium Enrichment, UNSCR 1696 - Demands Iran Suspend Uranium Enrichment, UNSCR 1540 - Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Removed: Executive Order 13883, Executive Order 13608, Executive Order 13382, Executive Order 13094, Executive Order 12938, UNSCR 1929, UNSCR 1803, UNSCR 1747, UNSCR 1737, UNSCR 1696, UNSCR 1540
Resources added
Added: 1 Sanctions Brochure(s), 5 Executive Order(s), 10 Federal Register Notice(s), 6 UNSCR(s), 2 General License(s), 1 Interpretive Guidance(s)
Resources added
Added: 5 Executive Order(s), 6 Federal Register Notice(s), 1 Sanctions Brochure(s), 1 Interpretive Guidance(s), 2 General License(s)
Resources added
Added: 2 executive_order(s), 1 guidance(s), 1 list(s), 1 regulation(s), 1 general_license(s)
Resources added
Added: 1 regulation(s), 3 guidance(s), 1 list(s), 1 general_license(s)
UK arms embargo on mainland China and Hong Kong renamed
Program renamed from "UK Arms Embargo on Mainland China and Hong Kong" to "UK arms embargo on mainland China and Hong Kong"
Legal basis updated for UK arms embargo on mainland China and Hong Kong
Added: Sanctions Act 2018
Resources added
Added: 1 guidance(s)
Legal basis updated for OFAC Non-Proliferation Sanctions
Added: Executive Order 13883, Executive Order 13608, Executive Order 13382, Executive Order 13094, Executive Order 12938, UNSCR 1929, UNSCR 1803, UNSCR 1747, UNSCR 1737, UNSCR 1696, UNSCR 1540. Removed: Executive Order 13883 - Administration of Proliferation Sanctions and Amendment of Executive Order 12851, Executive Order 13608 - Prohibiting Certain Transactions With and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Foreign Sanctions Evaders With Respect to Iran and Syria, Executive Order 13382 - Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters, Executive Order 13094 - Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Executive Order 12938 - Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, UNSCR 1929 - Additional Sanctions on Iran, UNSCR 1803 - Increases Vigilance on Iranian Banks, UNSCR 1747 - Toughens Sanctions Against Iran, Adds Arms Embargo, UNSCR 1737 - Imposes Sanctions on Iran for Refusal to Halt Uranium Enrichment, UNSCR 1696 - Demands Iran Suspend Uranium Enrichment, UNSCR 1540 - Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
Resources added
Added: 1 brochure(s), 1 guidance(s), 11 general_license(s), 5 executive_order(s), 10 federal_register_notice(s), 6 un_resolution(s)
Resources added
Added: 1 executive_order(s), 1 regulation(s), 4 guidance(s), 3 report(s), 3 federal_register_notice(s), 1 faq(s)
Target countries updated
Added: CN
Restrictions removed
Removed: trade_restrictions
Restrictions added
Added: travel_ban
Resources added
Added: 2 executive_order(s), 2 statute(s), 1 regulation(s), 2 federal_register_notice(s), 3 guidance(s), 1 list(s), 1 faq(s)
Legal basis updated for OFAC Non-Proliferation Sanctions
Added: Executive Order 13883 - Administration of Proliferation Sanctions and Amendment of Executive Order 12851, Executive Order 13608 - Prohibiting Certain Transactions With and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Foreign Sanctions Evaders With Respect to Iran and Syria, Executive Order 13382 - Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters, Executive Order 13094 - Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Executive Order 12938 - Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, UNSCR 1929 - Additional Sanctions on Iran, UNSCR 1803 - Increases Vigilance on Iranian Banks, UNSCR 1747 - Toughens Sanctions Against Iran, Adds Arms Embargo, UNSCR 1737 - Imposes Sanctions on Iran for Refusal to Halt Uranium Enrichment, UNSCR 1696 - Demands Iran Suspend Uranium Enrichment, UNSCR 1540 - Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Removed: Executive Order 13883 - Administration of Proliferation Sanctions and Amendment of Executive Order 12851 (August 3, 2019), Executive Order 13608 - Prohibiting Certain Transactions With and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Foreign Sanctions Evaders With Respect to Iran and Syria (May 1, 2012), Executive Order 13382 - Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters (June 29, 2005), Executive Order 13094 - Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (July 29, 1998), Executive Order 12938 - Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (November 14, 1994), UNSCR 1929 - Additional Sanctions on Iran (June 9, 2010), UNSCR 1803 - Increases Vigilance on Iranian Banks (March 3, 2008), UNSCR 1747 - Toughens Sanctions Against Iran, Adds Arms Embargo (March 24, 2007), UNSCR 1737 - Imposes Sanctions on Iran for Refusal to Halt Uranium Enrichment (December 23, 2006), UNSCR 1696 - Demands Iran Suspend Uranium Enrichment (July 31, 2006), UNSCR 1540 - Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (April 28, 2004)
Resources added
Added: 5 Executive Order(s), 6 Federal Register Notice(s), 1 General License(s), 1 Interpretive Guidance(s), 2 UN Security Council Resolution(s)
Resources added
Added: 2 Executive Order(s), 2 Federal Register Notice(s), 1 Sanctions List(s), 1 FAQ(s), 3 Guidance(s), 1 General License(s)
Legal basis updated for OFAC Non-Proliferation Sanctions
Added: Executive Order 13883 - Administration of Proliferation Sanctions and Amendment of Executive Order 12851 (August 3, 2019), Executive Order 13608 - Prohibiting Certain Transactions With and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Foreign Sanctions Evaders With Respect to Iran and Syria (May 1, 2012), Executive Order 13382 - Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters (June 29, 2005), Executive Order 13094 - Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (July 29, 1998), Executive Order 12938 - Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (November 14, 1994), UNSCR 1929 - Additional Sanctions on Iran (June 9, 2010), UNSCR 1803 - Increases Vigilance on Iranian Banks (March 3, 2008), UNSCR 1747 - Toughens Sanctions Against Iran, Adds Arms Embargo (March 24, 2007), UNSCR 1737 - Imposes Sanctions on Iran for Refusal to Halt Uranium Enrichment (December 23, 2006), UNSCR 1696 - Demands Iran Suspend Uranium Enrichment (July 31, 2006), UNSCR 1540 - Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (April 28, 2004). Removed: Executive Order 13883 - Administration of Proliferation Sanctions and Amendment of Executive Order 12851, Executive Order 13608 - Prohibiting Certain Transactions With And Suspending Entry Into The United States Of Foreign Sanctions Evaders With Respect To Iran And Syria, Executive Order 13382 - Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters, Executive Order 13094 - Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Executive Order 12938 - Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, UNSCR 1929 - Additional Sanctions on Iran, UNSCR 1803 - Increases Vigilance on Iranian Banks, UNSCR 1747 - Toughens Sanctions Against Iran, Adds Arms Embargo, UNSCR 1737 - Imposes Sanctions on Iran for Refusal to Halt Uranium Enrichment, UNSCR 1696 - Demands Iran Suspend Uranium Enrichment, UNSCR 1540 - Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
Resources added
Added: 1 brochure(s), 4 guidance(s), 12 general_license(s)
Legal basis updated for OFAC Hong Kong-Related Sanctions
Added: Executive Order 13936 - The President's Executive Order on Hong Kong Normalization. Removed: Executive Order 13936 - The President's Executive Order on Hong Kong Normalization (July 14, 2020)
Resources added
Added: 3 guidance(s), 3 report(s), 3 federal_register_notice(s)
Target countries updated
Added: CN