What’s new: China has warned of “resolute countermeasures” in response to U.S. sanctions against Chinese companies for their alleged involvement with Russia’s military efforts.
The foreign ministry’s spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing Monday that U.S. actions were an illegal jurisdictional overreach with no grounding in international law or the U.N. Security Council mandate.
China also rejected the U.S. claim that Beijing is considering providing Russia with weapons as “disinformation,” adding that ordering sanctions under such pretext is a “double standard and absolute hypocrisy,” according to a foreign ministry statement.
“We deplore and reject this move and have made serious démarches to the U.S. side,” Mao said, while reiterating that China’s position on the Ukraine issue is seeking a political solution and promoting peace talks.
The background: The U.S. announced additional sanctions last week against entities that are linked to Russia’s “defense-industrial sector and war effort,” with at least five of them from China.
In an interview with CBS News on Saturday, CIA Director Bill Burns said China may send lethal aid to Russia in its war against Ukraine. Previously, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made similar statements, which were rejected by the foreign ministry.
China released a position paper last week on the Ukraine conflict, advocating for a ceasefire and calling peace talks the “only viable solution” to the crisis.
Contact reporter Kelly Wang (jingzhewang@caixin.com) and editor Bertrand Teo (bertrandteo@caixin.com)
Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter.
