China blocks firms from European probes before talks

China is using new legal powers to hinder the European Union's investigation into alleged government support for its companies, especially regarding the acquisition deal of German company Sicomoni by JD.com worth $2.6 billion. Chinese measures include preventing institutions and individuals from cooperating with EU investigations, considering the European information requests as arbitrary and violating its laws. China has also warned of retaliatory measures if tensions continue. This escalation comes as the EU faces pressure to halt Chinese interventions, with the October deadline approaching to determine the fate of the deal amid escalating trade tensions between Beijing and Brussels.