China slams US sanctions over Iran ahead of Trump–Xi summit

China has opposed the US sanctions on three China-based companies that Washington claimed have been involved in enabling Iran’s military operations.

Beijing has not only defied these US “unilateral” sanctions but also called them “illegal.”

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"We have always ​required Chinese enterprises to ​conduct business in accordance with laws and regulations, and ​will firmly safeguard ​the legitimate rights and interests of ‌Chinese ⁠enterprises," said spokesperson Guo Jiakun.

"The pressing ​priority is ​to ⁠prevent by all means a relapse ​in fighting, rather ​than ⁠using the war to maliciously associate and ⁠smear ​other countries."

The opposition comes as President Donald Trump is set to visit China for high-stake talks scheduled on May 13-15. Trump will arrive in Beijing on Wednesday and the Trump-Xi summit will take place on Thursday and Friday.

As reported by Reuters, the leaders of the world’s two largest economies will discuss many issues spanning trade, Iran conflict, AI & technology, nuclear weapons and critical minerals deal, according to the US officials supervising Trump’s state visit to China.

Talking about the possibility of talks related to Iran conflict during the meeting, an official previewing Trump’s state visit plans, said, “The ‌president has ⁠spoken multiple times with General Secretary Xi Jinping about the topic of Iran and about the topic of Russia, to include the revenue that China provides to both those regimes, as well as dual-use goods, components and parts, not to mention the potential of weapons exports. I expect that conversation to continue.”