China has criticised the ban by the United States on Russian oil, gas and coal imports in response to the Ukraine war.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the Chinese Foreign Office spokesperson, Zhao Lijian, said that waving the big stick of sanctions will not bring peace or security.
He said, “They will only cause severe difficulties for the economy and the livelihood of relevant countries.
“Everyone will lose from this scenario and sanctions will only enhance division and confrontation.’’
He also said that China and Russia maintain good cooperation in the energy sector, saying that, “We will continue to conduct normal trade cooperation.”
On possible punitive actions by the US if Chinese banks and companies did not comply with other sanctions already imposed earlier, the spokesperson said China would take “all necessary measures’’ to resolutely defend the legitimate interests of Chinese companies and individuals.
Zhao also said that, “China rejects all unilateral sanctions and an extension of the US side’s jurisdiction beyond US territory”.
In dealing with the Ukraine issue and Russia, the US should take China’s concerns seriously and avoid undermining China’s rights and interests.
China has routinely blocked market access to companies that have not toed the line on its Taiwan policy.
Recently, it blocked multiple imports from Australia after Canberra demanded a probe into whether the Coronavirus pandemic originated from China.
