China Says It Strongly Opposes U.S. Sanctions on Chinese Firm Over Iran Oil

CHINA -- Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying gestures during a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Beijing, Septtember, 15, 2017

BEIJING, July 23 (Reuters)

China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday that it strongly opposes U.S. sanctions on a Chinese energy firm for allegedly violating restrictions imposed on Iran's oil sector.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the comment at a news briefing, after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States had sanctioned Chinese energy company Zhuhai Zhenrong Co Ltd because it "knowingly engaged in a significant transaction for the purchase or acquisition of crude oil from Iran".

SEE ALSO: Iran's Seizure Of A British Tanker Is A Strategic Mistake