Photo courtesy of Anadolu
China called on the United States to remove sanctions imposed on Chinese companies and individuals over alleged links to Iran, warning that the restrictions were disrupting legitimate trade and global energy supplies.
Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson Huang Ling said Thursday that Beijing strongly opposed sanctions imposed without authorization from the United Nations Security Council and had repeatedly raised its objections with Washington.
The latest dispute centered on US measures targeting Chinese entities and individuals accused of supporting Iranian networks. Beijing rejected the restrictions and maintained that the interests of Chinese businesses and citizens should be protected.
Washington imposed sanctions in July on six individuals and entities across four countries over alleged support for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Mahan Air, which US authorities have linked to the IRGC’s transportation network.
China argued that such measures interfered with normal commercial relations between countries and could undermine the stability of international energy markets.
Beijing urged Washington to reverse the restrictions and said it would take steps to defend the lawful rights and interests of affected Chinese companies and individuals.
The sanctions came amid heightened US-Iran tensions following the outbreak of direct conflict between the two countries on Feb. 28, adding another source of friction to relations between Washington and Beijing.
The dispute also emerged ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected reciprocal visit to the United States following US President Donald Trump’s trip to Beijing in May, putting sanctions and Iran policy among the issues hanging over renewed high-level engagement.