China has defended its oil imports from Russia as legitimate and lawful, warning the US of “firm countermeasures” if unilateral sanctions target Beijing. The Chinese Foreign Ministry criticised US economic coercion and emphasised China’s open, fair stance on global trade and energy cooperation
China has threatened to escalate the trade dispute with the US. REPRESENTATION PIC/AFP
China on Thursday defended its oil imports from Russia as legitimate and lawful, warning the US that it would take “firm countermeasures” if it imposed unilateral sanctions affecting Beijing’s interests. The US’s approach amounted to unilateral bullying and economic coercion, which severely undermines international trade rules and threatens the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a media briefing here.
China’s normal trade and energy cooperation with countries around the world, including Russia, is legitimate and lawful, Lin said, responding to a question on US President Donald Trump’s claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him of not buying oil from Russia, and it was now time for China to do the same.
Trump told reporters in Washington on Wednesday that the US was “not happy” about India’s purchase of Russian crude, arguing such imports helped finance President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. “Modi assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step. Now we’ve got to get China to do the same thing,” he said. Lin said China has always maintained an objective and fair stance on the Ukraine crisis, and its policy is open and above board for all to see.
“We firmly oppose the US’s action of directing the issue at China, and we strongly oppose imposing illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction on China. If China’s legitimate rights and interests are harmed, we will take firm countermeasures to safeguard our sovereignty, development, and security interests,” Lin said. India is the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels behind China.
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