China urges Ukraine to reverse sanctions threats against Chinese citizens

China has urged Ukraine to reconsider its decision after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy threatened to impose sanctions on Chinese citizens and companies accused of supporting Russia.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian called on Kyiv to review its approach and “correct its mistakes,” stressing Beijing’s opposition to such measures, Caliber.Az reports per Japanese media.

“China has always opposed unilateral sanctions that violate international law and are not authorised by the United Nations Security Council. We urge the Ukrainian side to immediately correct its mistakes. China will firmly safeguard the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens,” the diplomat said.

Earlier, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine would impose sanctions on Chinese citizens whom Kyiv suspects of cooperating with Russia’s military industry. He stressed that the restrictive measures would be introduced before the end of the year.

Previously, the Ukrainian president imposed sanctions on 56 maritime vessels allegedly linked to Russia, Barbados, Tanzania, Panama, and Cameroon. 

Under the 10-year restrictions, the measures include the annulment of licences, the freezing of trade agreements, the suspension of transportation and resource transit, a ban on entry into Ukraine’s territorial waters, and the blocking of assets.

By Jeyhun Aghazada