China has voiced its disapproval of a new US legislative proposal aimed at imposing sanctions on major importers of Russian oil and natural gas, which includes China among its targets. The Chinese government has pledged to take all necessary measures to safeguard the rights and interests of its companies that may be affected by such sanctions.
Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, articulated the country’s firm opposition to unilateral sanctions. He emphasized that any sanctions not grounded in international law or lacking authorization from the United Nations Security Council are unacceptable to China. This stance reflects China’s broader policy against the imposition of sanctions that bypass international consensus.
The US bill in question seeks to implement sanctions on the largest global purchasers of Russian crude oil and natural gas. As one of the key buyers, China falls within the scope of the proposed measures. The legislation is part of a broader effort to exert economic pressure on Russia amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
In response, Lin warned that the use of double standards and coercive tactics could ultimately backfire. He reiterated China’s position against what it considers to be unlawful unilateral actions, suggesting that such strategies are unlikely to yield the desired outcomes and could even harm international relations.