New UK sanctions targeting Chinese companies over Ukraine crisis are unilateralism, will meet with firm counterattack: embassy

New UK sanctions targeting Chinese companies over Ukraine crisis are unilateralism that has no basis in international law, and China is firmly opposed to it, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the UK said on Thursday, warning that any actions which harm China's core interests will be met with a firm counterattack.

The remarks were made in response to the recent British announcement of new sanctions on a number of entities and individuals from different countries, including three Chinese companies, for "supporting Russia-Ukraine conflict."

On Thursday, the UK Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, announced more than 50 new sanctions targeting individuals and businesses regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to the UK government's official website, the new targets include munitions manufacturers, electronics companies, and diamond and oil traders.

The sanctioned entities include three targeted Chinese companies - Finder Technology LTD and JUHANG Aviation Technology (Shenzhen) Co, which the UK alleges have been supplying sanctioned electronics to Russia, and Beijing Micropilot Flight Control Systems Co, a UAV company that produces engines which have allegedly been found in UAVs used by Russian forces in Ukraine, in light of the UK government's report on Thursday.

The Chinese Embassy strongly opposed the UK's recent actions, calling it unilateral acts without any basis in international law. 

On the Ukraine issue, China has all along upheld an objective and fair stance, and has been actively working for peace talks and political settlement, the embassy said.

The UK's escalated sanctions on Thursday came just two months after the UK government announced 46 new sanctions targeting individuals and groups "supplying and funding Putin's war machine," including three Chinese companies, on December 6, 2023.

The Chinese Embassy in the UK responded at that time that the UK side's action constitutes violation of international law, abuse of unilateral sanctions, and damages the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, and urged the UK government to immediately rectify its wrongdoing and revoke sanctions against Chinese companies.