Unilateral sanctions

China stands firmly against unlawful unilateral sanctions by the US. This is how Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian commented at a briefing on Thursday on the US Treasury's blacklisting of oil-related individuals and entities, including businesses from China.

"China has always strongly opposed the United States' use of illegal, unwarranted unilateral sanctions and the so-called long arm jurisdiction," Zhao Lijian said. "We call on the US side to abandon the misguided method of resorting to sanctions at every turn," he added.

Moreover, he said: "The international community, including China, is developing normal cooperation with Iran within the framework of international law." "This approach is reasonable and legitimate and does not harm the interests of third parties," Zhao Lijian stressed.

It is worth noting that the US Treasury Department on Wednesday placed two individuals, 13 entities from that Islamic republic, China, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, as well as two oil tankers flying the flags of Gabon and Panama on the Iran sanctions lists. According to the agency's statement, the listed individuals are linked to the sale and transportation of oil.

The sanctions list means freezing assets in the US and prohibiting US citizens or companies from doing business with the listed individuals, who are also banned from entering the country.