BEIJING – China has called on the US to “immediately stop” unilateralsanctions targeting North Korea. Beijing has been angered after a number ofChinese businesses were included on a new sanctions list.

*”The Chinese side firmly opposes the US imposing unilateral sanctions and’long-arm jurisdiction’ on Chinese entities or individuals in accordancewith its domestic laws,”* the Chinese Foreign Ministry saidlink> ina statement. *”We have lodged stern representations with the US side overthis, urging it to immediately stop such wrongdoings so as not to underminebilateral cooperation on the relevant area.”*

It went on to state that Beijing has been *”comprehensively and strictlyimplementing”* UN Security Council resolutions on North Korea and *”fulfillingits international obligations.”* It said that it “never allows any Chinesecitizen or company to engage in activities in violation” of thoseresolutions.

Beijing has long spoken out against any sanctions imposed against NorthKorea that are not within the framework of the United Nations.

The US announced on Friday that it was imposing its largest round ofsanctions aimed at getting North Korea to give up its nuclear and missileprograms. Twenty-seven companies, 28 ships, and one person were sanctioned,according to the US Treasury.

Shipping and energy firms based in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, andSingapore were affected, along with a Taiwan passport-holder. The actionsblock assets held by the parties in the US and prohibit US citizens fromdealing with them.

China is North Korea’s biggest trading partner and sole major ally.However, in January their trade fell to its lowest level since at leastJune 2014 as a result of UN trade sanctions.

Trump, who took a hardline stance against North Korea even before becomingpresident, has long stressed that China should put pressure on Pyongyang asits sole economic lifeline. That rhetoric promptedlink> Beijingto accuse the White House of shifting responsibility.

Both Russia and China have urged caution in response to North Korea. InJanuary, Moscow and Beijing proposed a “*double freeze”* initiative thatenvisaged the US and its allies ceasing all major military exercises in theregion in exchange for Pyongyang suspending its nuclear and ballisticmissile program. The initiative was rejected by Washington.

Russia has previously warned that further sanctions could escalate thestrained relations. Russian envoy to North Korea Alexander Matsegoraadvised in January that a total ban on oil exports to North Korea could beinterpreted by Pyongyang as a declaration of war.