China has called on the United States to lift sanctions imposed on Chinese companies and citizens for their alleged ties to Iran, describing Washington's policy as a unilateral practice that harms economic relations and global energy security.
"The Chinese government has consistently expressed its firm opposition to unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or authorization from the UN Security Council," said China's Ministry of Commerce spokeswoman Huang Ling on Thursday.
According to her, despite Beijing's repeated demarches, the United States has continued to impose punitive measures on Chinese companies and individuals due to alleged ties to Iran. Beijing expressed "strong dissatisfaction" and "firm opposition" to these actions.
The Chinese spokeswoman warned that US sanctions interfere with normal trade and economic relations between countries and could negatively affect global energy security.
Beijing urged Washington to “immediately correct its wrong practices” and lift sanctions on Chinese companies and citizens. At the same time, China warned that it would “resolutely” protect the legitimate rights and interests of its companies and citizens.
In July, the United States announced sanctions on six individuals and entities in four countries, including China, accusing them of supporting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its main transportation network, Mahan Air.
The US measures are part of Washington's campaign to isolate Tehran from the international financial system, at a time when tensions between the US and Iran remain high following the war that began on February 28.
The diplomatic clash between Washington and Beijing also comes at a delicate moment for US-China relations. On the horizon is a planned reciprocal visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States, following US President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing in May.
Tensions over Iran and US sanctions on Chinese companies are expected to be one of the issues that could affect the climate of upcoming meetings between the two economic powers.
