FM: US defense sanctions harm Chinese interests

The United States has announced new sanctions on several Chinese defense firms, allegedly for selling items banned under U.S. law to Iran. The items are banned as part of a US effort to curb Iran's missile program.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, said China strongly opposed Monday's sanctions, adding they went against principles of international relations, and harmed Chinese interests.

Last Saturday, the US issued sanctions against companies and individuals from countries including China, Iran and Syria accused of helping produce weapons of mass destruction, including cruise and ballistic missiles. The sanctions involve cutting off trade and technology exchanges between the US government and these companies. The sale of weapons and military equipment is also prohibited.

One of the 5 Chinese companies involved, Poly Technologies Incorporated, is a leader in China's defense industry. Poly Technologies issued a statement on Monday expressing its strong protest and firm opposition to the sanction. The company denies helping any countries or regions develop banned weapons, or exporting weapons or technologies to countries or regions under UN sanctions.

Poly Technologies Incorporated denies having helped any countries or regions develop banned weapons, or exporting or promising to export weapons or technologies to countries or regions under UN sanctions.

Poly Technologies Incorporated says the accusations are baseless, and demands that the US respect the facts and immediately lift the sanctions.