China Protests US Sanctions Against Several Iranian and Chinese Individuals and Entities

On Thursday, May 17, China protested against the US Treasury Department's sanctions on several Iranian and Chinese individuals and entities due to their support for Tehran's ballistic missile program. The new US sanctions list regarding Iran's missile program includes four companies and three individuals from Iran and China. Hua Chunying, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, reacted to this US action by stating that her country opposes the reckless use of unilateral sanctions that jeopardize the interests of third parties. According to Reuters, she added, 'I believe sanctions will not help strengthen trust between parties or international efforts to resolve this issue.' Ms. Hua emphasized that the US could resolve such issues through dialogue based on mutual respect. She reminded that her country adheres to local laws and regulations and has been committed to its obligations to the international community. Beijing has previously criticized US sanctions against Chinese companies for their involvement in Iran and North Korea's missile programs. China is one of the main trading partners of the Islamic Republic of Iran and played a key role in guiding Tehran towards the July 2015 agreement to resolve the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. The Iranian Foreign Ministry also reacted on Thursday to the increase in sanctions against the Islamic Republic's missile program, calling it 'unacceptable and contrary to international law.' Bahram Qasemi, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, announced that Tehran, in a reciprocal action, would add the names of nine new American companies and individuals to its previous sanctions list. The US Treasury Department included three Chinese companies, 'Shanghai North Biginz International,' 'Shanghai Geng Kuan Trade,' and 'Shanghai North Transway International,' along with an individual named 'Ruan Rolling' in its new sanctions list for assisting Iran's missile program. However, the US State Department announced on Wednesday that it had informed Congress that it had extended the suspension of Iran's nuclear sanctions as part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The last time the Obama administration extended this suspension was in January of this year before leaving the White House. The suspension of Iran's nuclear sanctions is part of the agreement between Iran and six world powers in July 2015, under which Tehran agreed to halt many of its nuclear activities. In this context, while the US has increased missile sanctions, it has also extended the suspension of Iran's nuclear sanctions.