CHINA slammed the United States today for imposing illegal unilateral sanctions on Chinese companies accused of trading with Russia.

Beijing warned the US that if the sanctions were not revoked then countermeasures would be deployed.

Deputy Foreign Ministry Director Mao Ning told reporters that the US actions lack a UN security council mandate or any basis in international law.

Ms Mao said: “They are typical unilateral sanctions and illegal ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ and detrimental to Chinese interests. We deplore and reject this move and have made serious demarches to the US side.”

She said: “We have actively promoted peace talks and sought a political solution. The US, however, has been fanning the flame and fuelling the fight with more weaponry.”

The US has provided Ukraine with more than $32 billion (£26.3bn) worth of military aid, and last week, on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion, announced a further $2bn (£1.6bn) worth of funding.

Ms Mao said that the US has prolonged the fighting in Ukraine by pouring in weapons, while spreading disinformation that China might supply weapons to Russia.

“This is out-and-out hegemony, double standards and absolute hypocrisy,” she pointed out.

Ms Mao asked: “Who is promoting peace and de-escalation, and who is fuelling the tension and making the world more unstable? The answer is fairly obvious.”

She called on the US to reflect on its behaviour and do something that will actually help de-escalate the tensions and promote peace talks.

“The US also needs to stop spreading disinformation and withdraw the sanctions on Chinese companies,” she said.

“The Chinese side will continue to do what is necessary to firmly safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies. We will take resolute countermeasures in response to the US sanctions,”  Ms Mao said.