China Rejects US Sanctions on Companies for Buying Iranian Oil

Beijing. China has made it clear that it will not recognize the sanctions imposed by the United States on Chinese companies for purchasing Iranian oil. 

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce issued a statement on Saturday claiming that the US action against five Chinese companies is contrary to international law and the fundamental principles of relations. 

Beijing has instructed its companies and organizations not to implement these sanctions and has warned that any decision that obstructs normal economic and trade transactions with other countries will not be acceptable to it. The ministry has stated that China has always opposed unilateral sanctions imposed without the approval of the United Nations and the basis of international law. 

The US recently announced further sanctions, accusing a Chinese company of importing millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil and generating billions of dollars in revenue for Iran. However, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce did not specify the names of these companies in its official statement. 

This diplomatic tension has surfaced at a time when US President Donald Trump is preparing to visit China this month and meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.