China voices strong opposition to US sanctions over alleged aid to Russia in Ukraine conflict

The ministry declared on its website that "China will take necessary measures to resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises".

Seventeen companies from mainland China and Hong Kong were included in the hundreds of new entities sanctioned by the United States.

The U.S. Treasury Department penalized six Chinese manufacturers and exporters for shipping microelectronics to Russia, thereby helping Moscow bypass previous sanctions. These firms' assets were blocked in the U.S, and American companies were prohibited from doing business with them.

The European Union blacklisted three Chinese companies and one from Hong Kong on Wednesday. These companies were accused of assisting Russian buyers in accessing dual-use military and civilian goods. The following day, the United Kingdom sanctioned three Chinese entities for supporting Russia's actions.

Beijing has consistently refuted claims that Chinese firms have supplied arms and other equipment to aid Russian military actions.

China's Permanent Representative to the UN, Zhang Jun, expressed on Friday that Beijing "strongly opposes" the "unlawful sanctions" levied on Chinese companies by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, claiming the Ukraine issue was used as a pretext.

China's Communist authorities neither criticized Russia's invasion of Ukraine nor voiced opposition against sanctions on Moscow. Chinese media outlets echoed the Kremlin's narrative, and since the invasion, the two countries have expanded their cooperation in many sectors, including conducting joint military exercises.

"This chart is intended for those in Europe who propose that the European Union should find a middle ground between the US and China. Chinese exports of transport equipment to Russia have seen an 800 percent increase since the invasion began. China is far from a neutral player—it maintains ties with Russia," economist Robin Brooks illustrated on platform X, presenting a chart with data.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated towards the end of January that China appears to be maintaining the Russian economy, including defense industry production. He noted that the war in Ukraine is additionally cementing the ties between both countries.