China opposes U.S. sanctions on entities, individuals: MOC

(ECNS) -- China firmly opposes the sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Chinese entities and individuals over allegedly supplying equipment that manufactures illegal fentanyl, said the country’s Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Tuesday.

The U.S. Treasury Department recently slapped sanctions on seven entities and six people based in China, accusing them of enabling production of counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills.

China has always enforced rigorous anti-drug measures and tried its best to help the U.S. cope with the fentanyl problem with a humanitarian spirit, the ministry said.

The U.S. disregards the facts, accusing Chinese entities and individuals of selling pill press machines and other equipment used to make fentanyl to the U.S. and Mexico. U.S. sanctions are an attempt to shift the blame onto China, it said.

China firmly opposes the sanctions and will safeguard the legitimate interests of Chinese enterprises and individuals, the ministry added.