China Foreign Ministry Urges US to Revoke Sanctions on Chinese Shipping Companies
China criticized the U.S.’s decision to sanction Chinese companies and people for transferring oil from Iran, saying it will take “necessary measures” if the sanctions are not revoked. “We strongly urge the U.S. to immediately correct its wrongdoing,” a China Foreign Ministry spokesperson said during a Sept. 26 press conference, according to a transcript in English released by the Chinese Embassy in Washington. “China has taken and will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard the legal rights and interests of its businesses.”
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The sanctions, announced Sept. 25, targeted six companies and five of the companies’ executives for transferring oil from Iran and “knowingly” violating U.S. sanctions,” the State Department said. The agency called the sanctions “one of the largest sanctions actions” taken by the U.S. since it reimposed sanctions on Iran in 2018.
“[W]e’re telling China and all nations, know that we will sanction every violation of sanctionable activity,” Secretary of Mike Pompeo said in a speech during the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 25.
China’s spokesman said the U.S. is “bullying” Chinese companies and expressed “firm opposition” to the U.S.’s “unilateral sanctions and so-called ‘long-arm jurisdiction.’” The spokesman said China’s business with Iran is “normal energy cooperation” and should be “respected and protected.”
“In disregard of the legitimate rights and interests of all parties, the U.S. has been wantonly wielding the stick of sanctions,” the spokesman said. “That grossly tramples on basic norms governing international relations and is unpopular and contrary to the trend of the times.“