Beijing: China is seeking support from Russia and from its Central Asian neighbours in its escalating tariff fight with the U.S., while also stepping up protests against moves to penalize its technology sector. Speaking Wednesday at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Kyrgyzstan, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said representatives of the eight-nation grouping had expressed "broad support" for China's position. In comments reported Thursday, Wang reiterated China's stance that it would never accept unequal trading arrangements. Beijing will match "extreme pressure" from the U.S. with its own measures, he said in remarks posted on the ministry's website. The trade frictions have "aroused great concern from the international community," Wang said.

"I stress to everyone that China's actions are not just about preserving our own legitimate rights and interests but also to maintain the norms of international relations and safeguard the international free trading system." A security group dominated by Moscow and Beijing, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization also includes Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan. Several other countries are observer states and dialogue partners. Wang's comments show how China attempting to global opinion in its favour. Beijing has already responded to Trump's tariff hikes on USD 250 billion of Chinese imports by slapping penalties on USD 110 billion of American goods. Based on last year's trade, that leaves about USD 45 billion in imports from the U.S.