China rejects new U.S. sanctions campaign and vows to protect its Iran trade

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China "firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions" and "will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its own rights and interests," adding that its cooperation with Iran is conducted within international law and "should not be disrupted or undermined."

Why this matters. Bessent had said "no one is above the reach of U.S. sanctions" when asked whether Chinese banks financing Iranian oil imports would be targeted.