China Strongly Opposes US Sanctions on Two Chinese Companies Over Cuba

Beijing, Nov 7 (KUNA) -- China expressed its strong opposition on Saturday to sanctions imposed by the United States on two Chinese companies for the first time due to Cuba. In a statement published by the Xinhua News Agency, China’s Ministry of Commerce said that Washington’s “unilateral” sanctions, announced on Thursday against the two Chinese companies on the grounds of their alleged ties to a third party, violate international law and the basic norms governing international relations. The ministry noted that “the U.S. side has recently escalated sanctions and repressive measures against China, frequently issuing many discriminatory restrictive measures that have caused serious harm to the rights and interests of Chinese companies.” It added that “the U.S. move contradicted the agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries and undermined the stability of bilateral economic and trade relations,” and urged Washington to “immediately correct its erroneous practices,” pledging to take necessary measures to protect legitimate Chinese interests. The statement came after Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng conveyed Beijing’s serious concerns about the recent U.S. restrictive measures in a video call late Thursday with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The two sides exchanged views “frankly, in depth, and constructively” on economic and trade issues of mutual interest and agreed to continue activating the trade consultation mechanism, enhance cooperation, and manage differences in a manner that contributes to establishing stable, strategic China-U.S. relations based on respect, fairness, and reciprocity. (End) S.L.Q./R.J.