China on Friday warned the United States to withdraw sanctions imposed on a Chinese military organisation for buying Russian weapons or “bear the consequences” of Beijing’s response.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang expressed Beijing’s “strong indignation” against Washington’s move, saying it violated the basic norms of international relations. He added that the move had damaged China-U.S. relations.
“We strongly urge the U.S. to immediately correct the mistakes and revoke the so-called sanctions,” he said.
Earlier, the U.S. State Department had announced that it was placing sanctions on China’s Equipment Development Department, the military branch responsible for weapons and equipment, and its director, Li Shangfu. It said the Chinese company was engaged in “significant transactions” with Russian nodal arms exporter, Rosoboronexport.
The sanctions have been linked to China’s import of 10 Su-35 fighter jets last year and S-400 surface-to-air missile system in 2018, the State Department said.
The sanctions bar the Chinese company from applying for export licences and involving in the U.S. financial system. Mr. Li will also be barred from getting a U.S. visa.
The Chinese media is also reporting that the U.S. has ordered the state-run news agency Xinhua and the English language state broadcaster, China Global Television Network, to register themselves as foreign agents under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
Meanwhile, Russia also lashed out on Friday at the new sanctions imposed on China.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Washington of playing unfairly and using new measures to squeeze Moscow out of the global arms market.
(With AFP inputs)
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