Beijing, China on Thursday rejected the US “long-arm jurisdiction” to impose tariffs on purchases of Russian oil and gas, saying its normal trade and economic cooperation with other countries should not be subject to interference or coercion by third parties.
Asked about the bill, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a media briefing here that China opposes any action that lacks UN Security Council authorisation. “China consistently opposes long-arm jurisdiction that lacks a basis in international law and is not authorised by the United Nations Security Council,” Guo said. He said that China has always carried out normal economic and trade cooperation with countries around the world based on equality and mutual benefit.
China’s imports of Russian oil and gas amounted to USD 64 billion last year, and its imports from January to August this year crossed over USD 70 billion, according to official data.
“Such cooperation neither targets any third party nor is subject to interference or coercion from any third party”, he said. Earlier reporting noted: What US lawmakers said What US lawmakers said Earlier reporting noted: ‘India, you better buy oil somewhere else’: US senator’s warning after Russia sanctions bill clears House China and India, you better buy your oil and gas somewhere else, Democratic senator Richard Blumenthal warned on Wednesday after the US Congress approved a bill that could expose major buyers of Russian energy to steep tariffs.
