Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated at a press conference that Beijing strongly opposes unilateral illegal sanctions that lack a basis in international law or a mandate from the United Nations Security Council, according to China’s ‘Global Times’. Ning urged America to abandon its usual practice of imposing sanctions. She added that ‘China will take the necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens.’
The U.S. State Department, on Thursday, imposed sanctions on two Chinese companies for operating stations and storing crude oil and petroleum products. These sanctions were for allegedly facilitating the importation of millions of barrels of illegal Iranian oil aboard several tankers, which the United States classified as oil facilities.
The U.S. Treasury noted that ‘this action is the fourth round of sanctions imposed by the department on station operators in China, who play a vital role in the network of Iranian crude oil trade that funds Iranian terrorism abroad and destabilizes the region.’
