-- China's Ministry of Commerce has moved to block US sanctions on five of its refiners linked to Iran's oil trade, ordering the firms not to recognize or comply with the measures imposed by Washington, according to a report by state news agency, Xinhua.
The five companies are Hengli Petrochemical Refining, Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical, Shandong Jincheng Petrochemical Group, Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group, and Shandong Shengxing Chemical.
They were placed on the Specially Designated Nationals List by the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, effectively freezing their assets and banning all transactions with them.
The US measures "improperly" prohibit trade and economic activities between Chinese companies and "third countries," which they said was a violation of international law, according to the report, citing Chinese ministry spokesperson.
The spokesperson also reiterated that the Chinese government opposes unilateral sanctions, which lack the authorization of the United Nations and the basis of international law.
China's Ministry of Commerce did not immediately respond to' request for a comment on this story.
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