US long-arm jurisdiction Illustration: Chen Xia/Global Times

China's Commerce Ministry (MOFCOM) on Monday expressed firm opposition to the US' imposing sanctions on eight Chinese companies for alleged involvement with Russia, vowing "necessary measures" to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.

The US' move is typical unilateral sanction, long-arm jurisdiction and economic coercion, which harmed international trade norms and harmed the safety and stability of global industrial and supply chains, the ministry said in a statement seen on its website.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that China has all along held an objective and just position on the Ukraine issue and remains committed to promoting peace talks in a bid to play a constructive role in the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

Normal trade between China and Russia does not target any third party and is free from interference by third parties, Mao said at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

"The Chinese side is firmly opposed the US' move of imposing illegal unilateral sanctions and will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard Chinese enterprises' legitimate rights and interests," Mao said.

The US government imposed new trade restrictions on 93 entities for "supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine," Reuters reported on Friday. The 93 entities are from China, Russia, Turkey, the UAE, Kyrgyzstan, India and South Korea, and they will be subject to trade restrictions. The list included eight Chinese companies, according to the report.

The EU last week agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia that for the first time targets Indian and Chinese companies accused by the US of "supporting Moscow's war efforts," the Financial Times reported on Thursday.