BEIJING: Beijing said on Tuesday it “firmly opposes” American sanctions onChinese companies and individuals the US Treasury Department says haveconnections to Iran’s drone and military aircraft development.
Washington last week slapped sanctions on “seven individuals and fourentities” based in Iran, China, Russia and Turkey it said had facilitatedshipments and financial transactions involving Tehran’s military hardwareprogramme.
The United States accuses Iran of supplying Russia with drones, which havebecome a major feature of Moscow’s war in Ukraine and are in regular use inSyria. Iran denies sending drones to Russia for use in Ukraine.
“China notes that the United States has included some Chinese enterprisesand individuals in the ‘Specially Designated Nationals List’ on the groundsof the so-called development of drones and military aircraft involvingIran, which China firmly opposes,” a commerce ministry spokesman told statebroadcaster CCTV.
“The United States side should immediately stop its unreasonablesuppression of Chinese enterprises and individuals,” he said.
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“China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its legitimaterights and interests.”
Drones have become a focal point of military strategy for Russia and Iran,both under heavy Western sanctions.
Last week US Treasury Under Secretary Brian Nelson said Iran’s “continued,deliberate proliferation of its UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) enablesRussia, its proxies in the Middle East, and other destabilising actors toundermine global stability”. – APP/AFP
