China warned on Monday that it will take necessary measures to safeguard its business interests after the United Kingdom imposed a new round of Russia-related sanctions last week that include several Chinese companies, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

A ministry spokesperson said in a statement that the UK has repeatedly imposed sanctions on Chinese companies under the pretext of Russia-related issues. Such actions constitute unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law and are not authorized by the United Nations.

Regarding the Ukraine crisis, China has consistently exercised strict control over exports of dual-use items in accordance with laws and regulations, the spokesperson noted, adding that normal exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Russian companies should not be disrupted.

China urged the UK to immediately correct its wrongful practices and lift the sanctions on the relevant Chinese entities to safeguard the sound momentum of China-UK relations, the commerce official added.