On September 3, Huang Ling, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, presided over a regular press conference. The spokesperson stated that China has repeatedly declared its opposition to unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law and are not authorized by the United Nations Security Council. Despite repeated negotiations from China, the US continues to impose sanctions on Chinese enterprises and citizens on the grounds related to Iran. China is strongly dissatisfied with this and firmly opposes such actions.
The spokesperson stated that the unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States interfere improperly with normal economic and trade relations between relevant countries, seriously disrupting global energy security and stable supply. China urges the US to immediately correct its wrongful actions and lift the sanctions against relevant Chinese enterprises and citizens. China will firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of our enterprises and citizens.
Since May, the United States has imposed unilateral sanctions on Chinese mainland and Hong Kong enterprises and individuals on various occasions, citing issues related to Iran. In response to the continuous sanctions imposed by the US, China quickly took countermeasures. At the beginning of May, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce issued a “blocking order” to prevent the US from imposing sanctions on five Chinese oil refining companies accused of purchasing Iranian oil. The order demanded that these companies “not recognize, execute, or comply with any US sanctions measures.”
On August 24 local time, the United States announced the launch of an ‘economic exodus operation’ against Iran. The new round of sanctions targeted 60 entities, individuals, and vessels, including dozens of Chinese mainland and Hong Kong enterprises. U.S. Secretary of State Robert O’Brien stated that playing a more ‘active role’ during the Iranian crisis is in China’s interests.
