China Rejects and Blocks US Sanctions on Five Companies Linked to Iran Oil

Bangla Press Desk: China’s Ministry of Commerce on Saturday issued a blocking order prohibiting the recognition, enforcement of, or compliance with US sanctions imposed on five Chinese companies over their alleged involvement in Iranian petroleum transactions, reports Xinhua.

The five companies are Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refining Co Ltd, Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical Co Ltd, Shandong Jincheng Petrochemical Group Co Ltd, Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group Co Ltd and Shandong Shengxing Chemical Co Ltd.

According to a ministry announcement, the US measures include placing the companies on the Specially Designated Nationals List, freezing their assets and banning transactions with them.

Since 2025, the United States, under executive orders targeting other countries, has imposed sanctions on the Chinese firms over their alleged involvement in petroleum transactions with Iran, a spokesperson for the ministry said on Saturday.

The spokesperson said the US measures improperly prohibit or restrict normal economic and trade activities between Chinese companies and third countries, as well as their citizens, legal persons or other organisations, in violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations.

To safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens, legal persons and other organisations, the ministry issued the order under China’s Rules on Counteracting Unjustified Extra-territorial Application of Foreign Legislation and Other Measures, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson reiterated that the Chinese government consistently opposes unilateral sanctions that lack authorisation from the United Nations and have no basis in international law.

The issuance of the blocking order is a concrete step to implement the rules in accordance with law, the spokesperson said, adding that it does not affect China’s fulfilment of its international obligations or its protection of the legitimate rights and interests of foreign-invested enterprises in accordance with law.

The ministry will continue to closely monitor what it considers the improper extraterritorial application of foreign laws and measures, and will take further action in accordance with law if such situations arise, the spokesperson said.