BEIJING — China has strongly criticized the United States for imposing sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals over their alleged links to Iran, calling the measures unilateral and without a basis in international law.
The sanctions were imposed as part of Washington’s broader campaign, dubbed “Operation Economic Outcast,” aimed at isolating Iran from the global financial system through increased economic pressure.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said the US sanctions had not been authorized by the UN Security Council and therefore lacked a basis under international law.
“Unilateral US sanctions have no basis in international law and have not been authorized by the UN Security Council,” Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson Huang Ling said on Thursday, September 3.
On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun called for China and the United States to continue implementing important agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders and maintain stable bilateral economic and trade relations.
Guo was responding to a question about remarks by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who had expressed optimism about the stability of US-China relations a day earlier.
Huang also argued that Washington’s sanctions were disrupting normal economic and trade relations between countries and could affect global energy security and the stability of energy supplies.
China urged the United States to withdraw the sanctions and said Beijing would continue to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens.
Washington has imposed several rounds of sanctions in recent months on Chinese companies and individuals accused of involvement in activities linked to Iran. The allegations have included providing weapons systems and satellite imagery, as well as facilitating the sale and transportation of Iranian oil to the Chinese market.
The latest dispute adds another layer of tension to the already complex economic and strategic relationship between Washington and Beijing, while highlighting China’s opposition to the use of unilateral sanctions as a tool of foreign policy.
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