China says US sanctions on Russia are illegal... publicly supports Russia

UN Permanent Security Council Member China: Russia Sanctions Are Unilateral Measures Without UN Approval
Russia Sanctions Will Cause Devastating Global Industry Consequences

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The Chinese government has officially expressed its opposition to the Western camp's sanctions on Russia, including those by the United States. In particular, it defended Russia by stating that the sanctions imposed by the United States and other Western countries are unilateral and illegal, and that the sanctions on Russia will not help resolve the problem.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The state-run Global Times reported on the 24th that the Joe Biden administration in the United States is inciting war by imposing sanctions on Russian banks and others. The media outlet reported that as the United States announced new sanctions against Russia, its allies such as Canada, Australia, and Japan are aligning with the U.S.

The Global Times claimed that the U.S. expects to win the Ukraine crisis through swift and harsh sanctions against Russia, but argued that these sanctions will harm companies and consumers in the Western camp, including the U.S. It then stated that China's official position on the Russia sanctions is 'opposition.'

The Global Times pointed out that these Russia sanctions were imposed without the approval of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and that the United States cannot represent the entire international community. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China reportedly does not support the illegal and unilateral sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other Western countries.

In fact, Hua Chunying, Deputy Director-General (Vice Minister) of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended a press briefing held the previous day and reiterated that China has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions, defining the U.S. and Western camp's sanctions on Russia as unilateral and illegal.

Deputy Director-General Hua said, "Since 2011, the United States has imposed sanctions on Russia more than 100 times, but nothing has changed," and questioned, "It is doubtful whether the Russia sanctions will resolve the Ukraine issue or make Europe safer."

The Global Times emphasized that not only Chinese companies but also global companies worldwide have become targets of the Russia sanctions, warning that regardless of the intentions of the U.S. and Western camp, these sanctions will bring devastating consequences to the global industry.

The media cited statistics from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, stating that last year the trade volume between China and Russia reached $146.87 billion (approximately 176 trillion KRW), expressing concerns about potential damage to China's interests due to the U.S. sanctions on Russia.

Deputy Director-General Hua said, "The Russia sanctions should not harm the legitimate rights and interests of China and other global parties." He added, "The solution to the Ukraine issue is not completely closed," and said, "The parties involved should resolve the issue peacefully in accordance with the UN Charter."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.