JAKARTA - Completely stopping Russia's oil and gas exports will trigger an economic dilemma that is sure to have a severe impact on all parties, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a briefing on Wednesday.
"China is clearly against unilateral sanctions that are not based on international law. Raising the stick of sanctions will not bring peace and security. It will only cause serious problems for the economy and quality of life in the country concerned," he warned, as quoted from TASS March 10.
"In this situation, everyone loses. Sanctions will only increase division and confrontation," the diplomat continued.
"China and Russia maintain stable cooperation in the energy sector. And we will continue to pursue normal trade interactions based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, and this includes the oil and gas sector," he stressed.
Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping voiced opposition to punitive sanctions against Russia by Western countries for its attacks on Ukraine during a trilateral video summit with German and French leaders.
"Western sanctions will deal a blow to global financial stability, energy, transportation and supply chains, dragging the world economy amid the pandemic," President Xi was quoted as saying by President Macron and Chancellor Scholz by China Central Television.
As previously reported, U.S. President Joe Biden announced a ban on imports of Russian oil and other energy on Tuesday in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine, underscoring strong bipartisan support for a move he acknowledged would raise U.S. energy prices.
"We are banning all imports of Russian oil and gas energy," Biden told reporters at the White House.
"That means Russian oil will no longer be accepted in US ports and the American people will deal another powerful blow to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's war machine," Biden continued.
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to limit or prohibit the import and export of certain products and raw materials from Russia by 2022 with a list of products to be determined by the government, according to a signed decree on special foreign economic measures, aimed at ensuring Russian security.
"Ensure the implementation of the following special economic measures until December 31, 2022: a ban on the export and import of products and/or raw materials according to a list to be determined by the government of the Russian Federation," the document said, adding that the list would determine the goods, which were exported and imports will be restricted.
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