WANA (May 02) – China’s Ministry of Commerce has issued a new legal directive prohibiting the recognition, enforcement, or compliance with U.S. sanctions targeting five Chinese refining companies, which Washington has accused of alleged involvement in purchasing Iranian oil.

 

According to the state news agency Xinhua, the decision was announced on Saturday, with Beijing emphasizing that the U.S. measures lack legal validity under international law.

 

The directive names the affected entities as Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery, along with four so-called “teapot” refiners: Shandong Jincheng Petrochemical Group, Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group, Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical, and Shandong Shengxing Chemical.

 

In its statement, China’s Ministry of Commerce described the U.S. sanctions as a violation of “international law and the basic norms governing international relations.”

 

It further stressed that no Chinese entity or company is permitted to accept or enforce these sanctions and is required to treat them as null and void.