Image used for representational purpose only. File | Photo Credit: Reuters
China is “very dissatisfied” with the US’ new sanctions on Chinese companies and “firmly opposes” it. Russia’s war in UkraineThe Commerce Ministry said on Sunday (August 25).
“China urges the US to immediately stop its wrong practices and take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies,” the ministry spokesperson said.
Washington on Friday imposed sweeping sanctions against nearly 400 individuals and companies it believes are aiding Russia’s war in Ukraine, including several Chinese companies. Thus, Washington has expanded existing measures to curb Moscow’s attempts to invade its neighbor.
These include Chinese companies that export microelectronics and machine tools to Russia, according to a State Department fact sheet outlining the sanctions.
The US Treasury Department said in a statement that the sanctions target individuals and companies inside and outside Russia “whose products and services enable Russia to continue its war effort and evade sanctions.”
China’s commerce ministry said on Sunday that the move was a “specific unilateral restriction” that “disrupts the international trade order and rules, hinders normal international economic and trade exchanges, and threatens the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains”.
The United States has repeatedly warned China about supporting Russia’s defense industry. However, China presents itself as a neutral party in the war and says it is not sending lethal aid to either side, unlike the United States and other Western countries.
But China is a close political and economic ally of Russia, and NATO members have labelled Beijing a “decisive supporter” of the war, which it has never condemned.