Ministry urges US to drop sanctions on Chinese firms

China’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that it has lodged stern representations with the US side after the latter blacklisted five Chinese companies for allegedly supporting Russia, while urging Washington to withdraw the unilateral sanctions and vowing to defend Chinese firms’ interests.

The US’ clampdown on Chinese firms for allegedly supporting Russia’s military and defense industrial base is unilateral sanction and long- arm jurisdiction that violates international law and lacks approval from the UN Security Council, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

“China and Russia engage in normal economic and trade cooperation on an equal footing with mutual respect and benefits and it shouldn’t be intervened in or restricted by any third party,” Zhao stressed.

The Chinese side urges the US to immediately correct its mistakes and withdraw relevant sanctions, he said, noting that China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.

The US Commerce Department added five Chinese enterprises to a trade blacklist, claiming that these companies had supplied items to Russian entities of concern before February 24, and they “continue to contract to supply Russian entity listed and sanctioned parties,” Reuters reported.

In a statement sent to the Global Times on Wednesday, the Chinese Embassy in the US said that China has not provided military assistance to parties involved in the Russia- Ukraine conflict and will firmly oppose sanctions on Chinese companies imposed by the US.

Qi Kai, an expert on international political economy at China University of Political Science and Law, said that the US’ move is aimed at seeking to expand its sanctions on Russia to China.

“While the US escalates pressure on Russia since the Russia- Ukraine conflict, it is also ramping up measures targeting China,” Qi said.