China will take countermeasures in response to U.S. sanctions on Chinese companies: FM spokeswoman

(ECNS) -- The U.S. sanctions on Chinese companies for involvement with Russia lack both the basis in international law and UN Security Council mandate, China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Monday.

"We will take resolute countermeasures in response to the U.S. sanctions," Mao said at the regular news briefing.

The U.S. actions are typical unilateral sanctions and illegal “long-arm jurisdiction” and detrimental to Chinese interests, she added.

The spokeswoman noted that China's position on the Ukraine issue has been objective and fair. "China actively promoted peace talks and sought a political solution. The U.S., however, has been fanning the flame and fueling the fight with more weaponry."

She pointed out that the U.S. has provided Ukraine with over $32 billion worth of military aid, including large quantities of advanced armament. Just days ago, the U.S. announced yet another tranche of military aid for Ukraine worth $2 billion.

“The U.S. has been pouring weapons into one side of the conflict, thus prolonging the fight and making peace elusive, while spreading disinformation that China would supply weapons to Russia and sanctioning Chinese companies under that pretext,” she said.

She said it is “out-and-out hegemonism and double standard, and absolute hypocrisy.”

She also pointed out that on the one-year mark of the full escalation of the Ukraine crisis, China issued its position paper on the political settlement of the crisis, whereas the U.S. imposed sanctions on Chinese and other foreign companies.

“Who is promoting peace and deescalation, and who is fueling the tension and making the world more unstable?” she asked.

She called on the U.S. to reflect on its behavior, bear in mind what is good for the world, and do something that will actually help deescalate the situation and get peace talks going.

“The U.S. also needs to stop spreading disinformation and withdraw the sanctions on Chinese companies. The Chinese side will continue to do what is necessary to firmly safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies,” she said.