US sanctions 20 Chinese companies for supporting Russian military

It also accuses Kremlin of violating global ban on chemical weapons in Ukraine war

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The US on May lissued hundreds of fresh sanctions targeting Russia over the war in Ukraine in action that took aim at Moscow's circumvention of Western measures, including through China.

The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on nearly 200 targets, while the State Department designated more than 80 in one of the most wide-ranging actions against Chinese companies so far in Washington's sanctions aimed at Russia.

The US imposed sanctions on 20 companies based in China and Hong Kong, following repeated warnings from Washington about Beijing's support for Russia's military, including during recent trips by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the country.

China's support for Russia is one of the many issues threatening to sour the recent improvement in relations between the world's bighas consistently gest economies.

"Treasury warned that companies will face significant consequences for providing material support for Russia's war, and the US is imposing them today on almost 300 targets," Dr Yellen said in a statement.

Mr Liu Pengyu, spokesman for China's embassy in Washington, said the government oversees the export of dual-use articles in accordance with laws and regulations, adding that normal trade and economic interactions between China and Russia are in line with World Trade Organisation rules and market principles.

"The Chinese side firmly opposes the US' illegal unilateral sanctions," he said.

The US and its allies have imposed sanctions on thousands of targets since Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine.

The war has seen tens of thousands killed and cities destroyed.