China accuses the United States of “bullying” with new “illegal” sanctions

BEIJING – China on Monday accused the United States of “outright bullying and double standards” in imposing what it called “illegal” sanctions on Chinese companies as part of US actions against Russia’s Wagner Group and its associated companies and individuals.

The entities have been targeted because of their role in the war in Ukraine and mercenary activities, including human rights abuses in Africa.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning told a daily briefing that the sanctions “have no basis in international law or authorization by the Security Council, and are illegal unilateral sanctions and long-term jurisdiction.”

Mao said the punitive measures “seriously harm China’s interests” and China “strongly rejects and regrets it and has lodged serious complaints with the US side.”

“While the United States has stepped up efforts to send weapons to one of the parties to the conflict, leading to endless war, it has often spread false information about China’s arms supply to Russia, and seized the opportunity to punish Chinese companies for no reason,” she said. “This is outright bullying and double standards.” .”

The Treasury and State Departments announced these steps in coordinated statements targeting dozens of companies affiliated with the Wagner Group, including some in the Central African Republic and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the head of Russia’s Kalashnikov Company, the original manufacturer of the AK-47. Gun.

Russia’s private military company, Wagner, is involved in heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine.

The sanctions also affected the Chinese company Changsha Tianyi Space Science and Technology Research Institute Co. Ltd. , also known as Spacety China, which has provided Wagner Group affiliates with satellite imagery of Ukraine supporting Wagner’s military operations there. A Luxembourg-based subsidiary of Spacety China has also been targeted.