China defends its companies and citizens against US sanctions
A day after the US imposed new sanctions on dozens of individuals and companies linked to Iran’s oil trade, including several ships, an oil port, and a Chinese refinery, the Chinese government said it would take all necessary measures to protect the legal activities of its citizens and Chinese companies.
Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at his weekly press conference on Friday, October 10, that China urges the United States to stop resorting to sanctions. He emphasized that China will protect its energy security.
He stressed that the Chinese government will take all necessary measures to safeguard its energy security as well as the legal rights and interests of its companies and citizens.
On Thursday, October 8, the US government announced that it had sanctioned nearly 100 individuals, entities, companies, and oil tankers for facilitating Iran’s oil and petrochemical trade. A refinery and oil terminal belonging to China are among those sanctioned.