China has firmly rejected a United States legislative proposal that would impose sanctions on the largest purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian stated at a briefing that Beijing would take all necessary measures to safeguard the legal rights and interests of Chinese companies affected by the measure.
The diplomatic pushback comes as a bipartisan group of US senators introduced a revised Russia sanctions bill.
The new legislation marks a shift in strategy, significantly lowering proposed tariffs on major buyers of Russian energy, including China and India, while maintaining pressure on Moscow through secondary sanctions on importers.
Tensions between Beijing and Washington have escalated in recent weeks.
China recently placed 10 US companies and entities on a new export control list, banning shipments of dual-use goods to firms involved in the defense sector and rare earth processing.