BEIJING – China firmly opposes US unilateral sanctions on Chinese enterprises as the move violates international law and the basic norms of international relations, the Ministry of Commerce said on Saturday.

A spokesperson for the ministry made the remarks in response to a media query that the US Department of State announced sanctions on two Chinese enterprises on Nov 5 local time.

It has been reported that this was the first time the United States has imposed sanctions on Chinese companies over so-called Cuba-related reasons.

In recent days, the US side has escalated sanctions and suppression against China and introduced multiple discriminatory restrictions, which have seriously harmed the rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, deviated from the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and undermined the stability of China-US economic and trade relations, the spokesperson said.

China urges the US side to correct its wrongdoings as soon as possible, the spokesperson said, noting that China reserves the right to take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.