The US Treasury Department on Tuesday imposed sanctions on more than 20 companies in a network that it said has long sent Iranian oil to China, according to the US treasury department. A Chinese expert said on Wednesday that the US sanctions with so-called Iran-related excuses are abuse of unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction, run counter to the prevailing international rules, and undermine the legitimate interests of Chinese firms, urging the US to stop interfering in normal economic and trade cooperation between countries.

The US Treasury Department on Tuesday claimed on its website that it imposed sanctions on nearly two dozen firms in a network that it said has sent Iranian oil to China.  

The long-arm jurisdiction of the US runs counter to the prevailing international rules, interrupts the normal economic and trade exchanges between other countries, threatens the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains.

All countries are equal and have the right to utilize their resources for international trade and development. Normal economic and trade activities should not be interfered with or blamed, Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Gao Lingyun, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, stated that the US has consistently pursued a pattern of leveling accusations without evidence, imposing sanctions preemptively, and then failing to substantiate its claims.

In the absence of transparency, the sanctions imposed by the US are unjustified and have seriously damaged the reputation of the enterprises concerned, Zhou added.

China has consistently voiced its firm opposition to US abuse of unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction.

Commenting on that the US Treasury Secretary announced there was sanction on a Chinese oil refinery in Shandong and also an oil terminal in South China’s Guangdong Province for taking Iranian oil, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said in March that it is China’s consistent position to oppose the US abuse of illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction.

“The US needs to stop disrupting the normal business cooperation between China and Iran. China will take all measures necessary to firmly safeguard the lawful rights and interests of our companies,” Mao said.