On Saturday, China's Ministry of Commerce announced that it would not recognize US sanctions against five Chinese refineries, including Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) and several smaller 'teapot' refineries. These sanctions were imposed by the US due to the refineries' alleged connections to Iranian oil purchases, part of a broader strategy to limit Iran's oil revenue amid its significant role in global energy markets. The Chinese government criticized the US sanctions as improper, asserting they violate international law and restrict normal business activities. In response, China reiterated its opposition to unilateral sanctions lacking United Nations authorization. Furthermore, China's anti-sanctions law mandates that affected businesses report their situations to the Ministry of Commerce, which can issue injunctions against unjust foreign legal actions. This move underscores China's commitment to protecting its economic interests and challenging perceived overreach by US legislation.