Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong has expressed his country’s “firm opposition” to the sanctions imposed, which the United States justifies as necessary. According to He Yadong, these measures are unjustified and harm both Chinese companies and international trade relations. China reiterates its call for the United States to reverse these restrictions.
The Chinese government on Thursday accused the United States authorities of violating international law by imposing a new set of sanctions against six companies for allegedly carrying out activities that harm the country’s security and contribute to facilitating Russia’s evasion of international sanctions imposed against it.
A container ship docks at the Kwai Chung Container Terminal in Hong Kong. AFP
Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong has expressed “China’s firm opposition” to these restrictions, which the United States says are necessary given the existing cooperation between these exporting companies and the Russian government.
“China firmly opposes the unilateral sanctions imposed, which do not respect international law and are not authorized by the United Nations Security Council,” the spokesman said in statements reported by the Xinhua news agency.
In response, China’s government plans to implement measures to protect companies affected by what it has called “malicious” and dangerous actions. It has also defended its own export controls, especially regarding weapons. Meanwhile, Washington announced a new set of sanctions against these companies on Monday, arguing that their participation in certain activities is contrary to US national security.