China objects to U.S. sanctions on Russian business dealings.

China has protested against the US sanctions on five Chinese and Hong Kong-based firms for allegedly evading US export controls on Russia, calling it an illegal move that endangers global supply chains. The US has been tightening enforcement of sanctions against foreign firms that it sees as providing assistance to Russia in its war against Ukraine. China has maintained that it is neutral in the conflict, while backing Russia politically, rhetorically and economically at a time when Western nations have imposed punishing sanctions and sought to isolate Moscow for the invasion of its neighbor.