Chinese Embassy responds to US sanctions on Chinese companies

COLOMBO (News1st): The Chinese Embassy in Colombo has hit back at sanctions imposed by the US on 24 Chinese companies including the entity involved in constructing the Colombo Port City. The US had imposed these sanctions making it illegal for American companies to export products to these entities without a government licence. It is the first time the US has sanctioned Chinese companies involved in building artificial islands in the South China Sea. China has constructed artificial islands in the South China seas including the Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef and the Port City in the seas of Sri Lanka. This decision would affect China Communications Construction Company that is the parent company of China Harbour Engineering Company that is constructing the Colombo Port. The parent company had been previously involved in the construction of the Hambantota Port and the Mattala International Airport. Another subsidiary, Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company recently supplied cranes to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. The Chinese Embassy said that normal business cooperation by licensed companies or individuals from China and Sri Lanka will not be affected by such unilateral and unjust sanctions from a third country. The sanctions have targeted companies and individuals involved with constructions in the South China Sea, particularly the building of artificial islands as part of the One Belt, One Road initiative. He added that US sanctions, which involve typical hegemonic logic and power politics, have blatantly interfered in China’s internal affairs, violated international law and norms governing international relations.