China defies US move to ban oil imports from Russia

ISTANBUL

China on Wednesday defied the US move to ban imports of oil and other energy products from Russia, reiterating its opposition to “unilateral sanctions.”

“China and Russia have always maintained sound energy cooperation relations and the two will continue to carry out normal trade cooperation including oil and gas in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and benefit,” said Zhao Lijian, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

President Joe Biden Tuesday announced that the US had banned all oil, natural gas, and energy imports from Russia amid war in Ukraine.

Biden described the move as “targeting the main artery of the Russian economy."

Although Biden said his decision had bipartisan support in Congress, he also stated that "many of our European allies and partners may not be in a position to join us."

“China opposes unilateral sanctions, which do not bring peace and security but only cause serious difficulties to economies and people’s livelihoods in countries concerned, bring about a lose-lose situation and intensify confrontation,” Lijian said, according to the Chinese daily Global Times.

Russia's war on Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, has drawn international condemnation, led to financial sanctions on Moscow, and spurred an exodus of global firms from Russia.

At least 474 civilians have been killed and 861 injured in Ukraine since the beginning of the war, according to the UN, which noted that conditions on the ground make it difficult to verify the true number.

Some 2 million people have also fled to neighboring countries, said the UN refugee agency.