NEW DELHI: China firmly opposes the United States imposing sanctions on Chinese enterprises for Russia-related reasons, the Chinese commerce ministry said.
China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, the ministry said in a statement on its website.

The Biden administration on Friday announced new trade restrictions on 93 entities from Russia, China, Türkiye the United Arab Emirates, Kyrgyzstan, India and South Korea for supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine.

The action, one day before the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, essentially bans US shipments to the targeted entities, including eight from China, 63 from Russia, 16 from Türkiye and four from the UAE.

The EU had approved on Wednesday its own package of sweeping sanctions against Russia, including some against three Chinese firms and one Hong Kong-based company, while curbs announced by Britain on Thursday included sanctions on three Chinese electronics companies.  

"China will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises," the commerce ministry said in three statements on its website.  

The latest tranche of sanctions is designed to prevent firms around the world circumventing measures already adopted to keep Moscow from procuring military hardware or equipment needed to replenish its munitions and other military items.  

Saturday marked the second anniversary of Russia's war in Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, 2022.  

China warned the European Union and Britain the measures would have a "negative impact" on economic and trade ties, but did not make use of the phrase in its statement aimed at the United States.