China: Trade and energy cooperation with all countries, including Russia, is legitimate despite Washington's calls for sanctions.

Arab Sea Newspaper - News Updates

Arab Sea - Follow-ups: Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian affirmed in a press conference on Monday that China will provide a decisive response and protect its security if its interests are affected, and that cooperation with Russia is legitimate. When asked to comment on the United States' call for the G7 and NATO countries to impose tariffs on China for importing Russian oil in order to push Beijing to participate in settling the Ukrainian conflict, Jian said: "If China's legitimate rights and interests are harmed, China will certainly take decisive countermeasures and will relentlessly defend its sovereignty, security, and development interests." He added: "China's normal trade, economic, and energy cooperation with all countries in the world, including Russia, is legitimate and does not deserve criticism." He pointed out that the United States' action is based on intimidation and economic coercion. Trump stated on Saturday morning that he is ready to impose harsh sanctions on Russia if all NATO members commit to acting collectively and stop importing oil from Moscow, noting that the continued purchase of Russian energy by some allies "weakened the alliance's negotiating position." He also called on NATO member states to impose import duties on China ranging from 50 to 100%, considering that this step "may contribute to ending the Ukrainian crisis, provided that these duties are canceled after reaching a peaceful settlement."