Washington supposedly sent a warning to Chinese companies that help the Russian military in its fight with Ukraine, but Beijing did not care about it. The Foreign Ministry responded that China will do everything it can to protect its own interests from "foreign interference."
Late last week, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Chinese companies that they would face "significant consequences" if they "provide material support for Russia's war against Ukraine."
At the same time that Yellen issued her warning, unnamed US officials told Bloomberg that Chinese companies were giving Russia microelectronics and machine tools to make tanks, as well as optics and rocket fuel for missiles.
During a Monday news meeting, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, reacted to what Yellen said.
People should not attack or smear relations between China and Russia, and China and Chinese companies should not have their legal rights and interests violated, Mao said. "China will do everything it can to protect our legitimate rights and interests."
On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Beijing for a two-day visit. This speech came at the same time.
To answer a follow-up question about Washington's warning to Beijing about its ties with Moscow, Mao said, "The normal cooperation between China and Russia should not be subject to foreign interference or restrictions."
Since Moscow started its operation in Ukraine in 2022, American leaders have told Chinese companies many times not to do business with the Russian military. The US says that Russia's military got weapons and "dual-use" technology (technology that can be used for both military and domestic purposes) from China. Both Moscow and Beijing have rejected these statements many times.
China is "committed to playing a constructive role in promoting ceasefire and political settlement of the crisis" between Russia and Ukraine, Mao said.
In the past two years, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have worked together more on military and political issues. In February 2022, both leaders said they wanted to have a "no limits" relationship with each other. Because of this relationship, Russia has become China's biggest oil source. Also, last month, Russia's Roscosmos space agency said it might be able to work with China to build an automatic nuclear plant on the Moon by 2035.
Late last week, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Chinese companies that they would face "significant consequences" if they "provide material support for Russia's war against Ukraine."
At the same time that Yellen issued her warning, unnamed US officials told Bloomberg that Chinese companies were giving Russia microelectronics and machine tools to make tanks, as well as optics and rocket fuel for missiles.
During a Monday news meeting, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, reacted to what Yellen said.
People should not attack or smear relations between China and Russia, and China and Chinese companies should not have their legal rights and interests violated, Mao said. "China will do everything it can to protect our legitimate rights and interests."
On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Beijing for a two-day visit. This speech came at the same time.
To answer a follow-up question about Washington's warning to Beijing about its ties with Moscow, Mao said, "The normal cooperation between China and Russia should not be subject to foreign interference or restrictions."
Since Moscow started its operation in Ukraine in 2022, American leaders have told Chinese companies many times not to do business with the Russian military. The US says that Russia's military got weapons and "dual-use" technology (technology that can be used for both military and domestic purposes) from China. Both Moscow and Beijing have rejected these statements many times.
China is "committed to playing a constructive role in promoting ceasefire and political settlement of the crisis" between Russia and Ukraine, Mao said.
In the past two years, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have worked together more on military and political issues. In February 2022, both leaders said they wanted to have a "no limits" relationship with each other. Because of this relationship, Russia has become China's biggest oil source. Also, last month, Russia's Roscosmos space agency said it might be able to work with China to build an automatic nuclear plant on the Moon by 2035.
