The Chinese Foreign Ministry has announced plans to take "necessary measures" in response to the recent imposition of US sanctions against Chinese companies accused of assisting Russia in acquiring weaponry for its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
According to a statement from an unnamed representative of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to AFP, reported by "European Truth", Beijing is calling for the United States to "stop slandering and restraining China and to cease the senseless application of illegal and unilateral sanctions."
The representative emphasized that China "will take all necessary measures to resolutely protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies." He further noted that Beijing is neither "the creator nor a party" to the full-scale war Russia is waging in Ukraine and maintains the right to develop normal trade relations with all countries, including Russia.
The spokesperson condemned the United States' practice of imposing "illegal and unilateral sanctions" on Chinese firms and enforcing what he called "long-arm jurisdiction," a legal strategy the US employs to extend its laws internationally, particularly with regards to sanctions enforcement.
This development follows a recent announcement by the US Treasury Department and the State Department that nearly 200 individuals and entities that contribute to Russia's military-industrial complex, and help it evade existing restrictions, have been sanctioned. Among those sanctioned are nearly 60 entities from various countries including Azerbaijan, Belgium, China, Russia, Slovakia, Turkey, and the UAE, which have been facilitating Russia's access to essential technologies and equipment from abroad for its defense sector.
The tensions between China and the United States continue to escalate as the international community grapples with the complexities of global trade, international law, and geopolitical conflicts.
