China says will adopt resolute countermeasures in response to US sanctions

China has strongly condemned Washington's sanctions against Beijing, saying it will take resolute countermeasures in response to the new bans that target Chinese firms for alleged cooperation with Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed Beijing's firm opposition to fresh US sanctions against Chinese companies, denouncing the coercive measures as illegal and unilateral.

According to a report by China's Xinhua news agency, Mao warned that China will take firm steps against US sanctions if they were not revoked.

"The actions of the United States have no basis in international law at all, nor are they authorized by the UN Security Council. They are typical illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction, which seriously damage China's interests. China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposed to this, and has lodged stern representations with the US," Mao said.

China calls on US-led NATO to 'stop fueling fire' in Ukraine war

China expresses "deep" concern over the escalation in the Ukraine war, urging Western countries to "stop fueling the fire" and warning of the possibility that it could spiral out of control.

Mao also stressed that China has been maintaining its neutrality and objectivity throughout the Ukraine conflict and has been actively pushing for peaceful dialogue and political solution since the onset of the war last year, while the US has been fueling the conflict by pouring over $32 billion of military aid into the battlefield.

"It is as plain as daylight who is promoting peace and who is pouring fuel into the fire," she stressed.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson also urged Washington to stop spreading disinformation, drop its sanctions on Chinese firms and try to help ease the tension.

"China will continue to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. In response to the erroneous actions of the US in sanctioning Chinese companies, we will resolutely counter them," Mao added.

Russia launched what it called "a special military operation" in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, over the perceived threat of the ex-Soviet republic joining NATO. Since then, the US and its allies have sent Kiev billions of dollars worth of weapons, including rocket systems, drones, armored vehicles, tanks, and communication systems.

Western countries have also imposed a slew of economic sanctions on Moscow. The Kremlin has said the sanctions and the Western military assistance will only prolong the war.

China denies US claim about arming Russia, slams Washington’s meddlesome remarks

US Secretary of State Blinken has claimed Beijing is "considering providing lethal support" to Moscow.

The spokesperson's remarks came after the administration of US President Joe Biden on Friday, February 24, added Chinese and Russian companies to a trade blacklist for allegedly supporting the Russian military.

The blacklist also included two Chinese satellite companies, Spacety Co Ltd, and China HEAD Aerospace Technology Co.

Washington and its NATO allies are trying through sanctions to dissuade China from providing military aid for Russia, alleging that Beijing is considering providing lethal equipment to Moscow, possibly including drones.

Last week, China issued a 12-point document for peace talks between Kiev and Moscow to end the war. Beijing's position, among other things, underscored respect for all countries' territorial integrity and sovereignty. 

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