China Opposes US Sanctions On Hengli Petrochemical, Calls Them Illegal Under International Law
China rejects US sanctions on Hengli refinery, vows protection for firms amid Iran oil allegations.
China on Monday strongly opposed fresh United States sanctions targeting Hengli Petrochemical’s refinery in Dalian, calling the measures “illicit” and reaffirming its commitment to protect the rights and interests of Chinese companies. The diplomatic exchange comes amid rising tensions between Beijing and Washington over energy trade and sanctions enforcement linked to Iran.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing that China rejects unilateral sanctions imposed without the backing of international law. “China always opposes unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law,” he said, urging the United States to abandon what he described as “abusive sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction.” He added that Beijing would firmly safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.
The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the sanctions on Friday as part of what it called an intensified campaign against Iran’s oil trade network. The measures also included restrictions on nearly 40 shipping entities allegedly linked to Iran’s so-called “shadow fleet,” which Washington says is used to bypass international oil restrictions.
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Hengli Petrochemical’s refinery in Dalian, one of China’s largest independent processing facilities with a capacity of around 400,000 barrels per day, was identified by US authorities as a major buyer of Iranian crude oil. US officials alleged the refinery had been receiving shipments of Iranian oil since 2023, generating significant revenue that Washington claims benefits Iran’s military infrastructure.
The sanctions are part of a broader US pressure campaign targeting Iranian oil exports, which has already affected several Chinese refiners in recent years. Washington has previously imposed restrictions on companies such as Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group, Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical, and Shandong Shengxing Chemical, leading to disruptions in crude procurement and forcing operational adjustments within parts of China’s refining sector.
China, however, remains one of the largest importers of Iranian crude oil, with industry data suggesting it accounted for more than 80% of Iran’s oil shipments last year, often routed through complex shipping networks designed to obscure their origin. The US State Department defended the latest sanctions as part of efforts to curb what it calls Iran’s “illicit oil trade,” a characterization Beijing has repeatedly rejected.
