Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated that Beijing consistently opposes unilateral sanctions without a basis in international law.

The spokesman noted that these measures constitute an erroneous practice of “extraterritorial jurisdiction” and urged the United States to stop the indiscriminate use of sanctions and correct its actions.

He also stressed that China will firmly protect the legitimate rights and interests of its companies.

The spokesman reiterated that unilateral actions affect the international economic and trade order. China has repeatedly criticized Washington’s unilateral sanctions, amid tensions over restrictive measures related to third countries such as Iran and in the midst of a turbulent regional context.

The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the Hengli Petrochemical refinery in Dalian, which it said is one of Iran’s largest customers for crude oil and petroleum products.

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