US smear on trade ties with Russia opposed

The Foreign Ministry rejected on Thursday Washington's smear over the normal trade and economic exchanges between China and Russia, as the United States intensified the pressure on Russia over the Ukraine crisis with a new round of sanctions also targeting Chinese companies.

At a news briefing on Thursday, ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China and Russia are comprehensive strategic partners of coordination, and the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries is grounded in clear logic and strong resilience.

China firmly opposes all unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction, he said.

On Wednesday, the US Treasury Department announced new sanctions on more than 300 entities and individuals both in Russia and outside its borders, including in China. The announcement was made on the eve of the G7 meetings in Italy.

Regarding the Ukraine crisis, Lin said it is clear to all as for "who is calling for dialogue and striving for peace, while who is fueling the crisis and instigating confrontation".

'Wanton' sanctions

The US has been pouring weapons into Ukraine, while shifting the blame of undermining peace and protracting the crisis to other countries. It "even used the crisis as an opportunity to wantonly sanction and suppress other countries", he said.

The ministry has rejected Washington's groundless accusations of China's normal trade with Russia multiple times, saying such cooperation is consistent with World Trade Organization rules and market principles, and should not come under external interference or coercion.

China is not the creator or party of the Ukraine crisis, he said. "We will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies."