The spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce answers questions from reporters regarding the blocking of US sanctions on five Chinese companies involved in Iran oil trade.

Question: On May 2, 2026, the Ministry of Commerce issued a ban, blocking the United States from participating in Iran's oil trade, and imposing sanctions on Henan Henglian Petrochemical Refining Co., Ltd., Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical Co., Ltd., Shandong Jincheng Petrochemical Group Co., Ltd., Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group Co., Ltd., Shandong Shengxing Chemical Co., Ltd. and other five companies by including them in the "Special Designated Nationals List", implementing asset freezes and prohibiting trade. What is your opinion on this? Since 2025, the United States has imposed sanctions on other countries under its executive orders, citing participation in Iran's oil trade as the reason for including Henan Henglian Petrochemical Refining Co., Ltd., Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical Co., Ltd., Shandong Jincheng Petrochemical Group Co., Ltd., Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group Co., Ltd., Shandong Shengxing Chemical Co., Ltd. and other Chinese companies in the "Special Designated Nationals List" and implementing sanctions such as freezing assets and prohibiting trade. Such improper bans or restrictions on Chinese companies from engaging in normal economic and trade activities with third countries and their citizens, legal persons, or other organizations violate international law and basic principles of international relations.