China has fired a sharp rebuke at the United States, condemning its latest sanctions on Chinese firms as “illegal” and “unilateral.” In a heated statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning defended her country’s strict controls on dual-use exports like drones and vehemently denied any involvement in providing lethal weapons to either Russia or Ukraine.
The diplomatic clash erupted after the US slapped sanctions on two Chinese companies accused of supplying Russia with drone engines and parts, allegedly enabling Moscow to carry out long-range strikes in Ukraine using unmanned aerial vehicles. The US Treasury, in a statement on Thursday, claimed that for the first time, it had sanctioned Chinese firms “directly developing and producing complete weapons systems in partnership with Russian firms.”
Mao Ning didn’t hold back, calling the accusations groundless and accusing the US of exploiting the Ukraine conflict to target Beijing. “China has never provided lethal weapons to either party in the Ukrainian conflict,” she said during a press briefing, stressing that Beijing imposes strict controls on the export of civilian drones to prevent their misuse in military applications. “We oppose the use of civilian drones for military purposes,” she added.
China’s firm response comes amidst growing tensions between Beijing and Washington, which have been locked in a series of confrontations over trade, technology, and geopolitical influence. The Chinese spokeswoman emphasized that the US sanctions on Chinese companies were yet another example of Washington’s overreach. “These sanctions are illegal, unilateral, and go against international norms,” she stated, warning that such actions could further damage already strained ties between the two powers.
This isn’t the first time China has faced accusations of indirectly aiding Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. In July, Beijing announced a comprehensive ban on the export of civilian drones that could potentially be adapted for military purposes, underscoring its determination to stay out of the conflict. Despite this, the US and other Western nations continue to claim that Chinese goods and technologies are finding their way into Russian hands, allegedly supporting its war machine.
Mao Ning was unequivocal in her demand for Washington to stop dragging China into the Ukraine conflict. “We urge the United States to stop using the Ukraine issue to smear and pressure China,” she said, asserting that Beijing has consistently taken a neutral stance on the conflict and supports a peaceful resolution through diplomatic means.
As tensions escalate, it’s clear that the friction between China and the US is not just about drones or Ukraine—it’s part of a larger geopolitical struggle for dominance. Beijing’s message to Washington, however, is firm: China will not be pushed around, and it won’t stand for being dragged into a conflict it has no part in. As the two superpowers clash, the global ramifications are becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
