China Blocks US Sanctions on Five Chinese Refineries, Citing International Law Violations
China has announced an injunction to block US sanctions imposed on five Chinese refineries accused of purchasing oil from Iran. The US Department of the Treasury had recently announced these sanctions, which aim to exclude the refineries from the US financial system and penalize any entities conducting business with them. China's Ministry of Commerce stated that these sanctions improperly restrict business between Chinese enterprises and third countries, violating international law and basic norms of international relations. The ministry issued a prohibition order, declaring that the sanctions should not be recognized or enforced, as a measure to protect national sovereignty and development interests. The refineries affected include Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery and four other 'teapot' refineries, which are smaller, independently operated facilities crucial to China's oil supply strategy. 
