Beijing demands Washington lift sanctions against firms

Beijing yesterday expressed "strong opposition" to sanctions imposed by the US administration on three Chinese companies, demanding it "correct the wrong act".

"We are strongly opposed to the sanctions imposed on the pretext that the Chinese firms sold embargoed weapons to relevant countries," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said at a regular news briefing.

The US State Department announced the sanctions last week on China National Electronics Import & Export Corporation (CEIEC), China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation and Zibo Chemet Equipment Co Ltd, accusing them of selling embargoed weapons.