China opposes U.S. sanctions against Chinese companies over Russia

China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises victimized by the recent U.S. sanctions, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

The United States recently imposed nearly 300 new sanctions on entities that provide so-called support to Russia's military-industrial base, including more than 20 Chinese mainland and Hong Kong companies.

"China has always opposed unilateral sanctions that lack international legal basis and authorization from the United Nations Security Council," said He Yadong, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, during a news conference in Beijing.

The U.S. sanctions on Chinese companies under the pretext of alleged support for Russia have been a typical unilateral hegemonic and economic coercive behavior. China strongly opposed the action, and the U.S. should immediately stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese enterprises, He said.