'Illegal and unilateral': China on US sanctions over Russia-Ukraine war

China has called theUnited States imposed sanctions on hundreds of entities for aiding Russia in its war with Ukraine,"illegal and unilateral" and "not based on facts".

The comment from China comes ahead of White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's arrival in Beijing on Tuesday (Aug 27).

Sullivan is on a three-day visit to China and is scheduled to hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Last week, the US imposed sanctions on more than 400 entities and individuals for supporting Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. The entities also included Chinese companies that, according to US officials, have helped Moscow in building up its military.

China's special envoy for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui, opposed the sanctions at a briefing in Beijing after the latest rounds of meetings with officials from Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa.

"A particular country uses the crisis … to shift blame in an attempt to fabricate the so-called China responsibility theory and threatens countries that have normal economic and trade ties with Russia with illegal and unilateral sanctions," Li said.

Although Li did not name the US, China's commerce ministry, on Sunday, said that it strongly opposes the sanctions and the foreign ministry has expressed similar opposition to previous curbs.

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"These words and deeds are totally for their selfish interests and are not based on facts, the international community will never accept them," Li added.

The US hasrepeatedlywarned China over its support for Russia's defence industrial base andissued many sanctions against it.

(With inputs from agencies)