China on Friday reiterated its opposition to punitive sanctions on Russia over its aggression against Ukraine, one day after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization urged Beijing not to support Moscow.
"Escalating sanctions would only harm many people," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters, adding Beijing will not accept "any pressure and coercion" on the Asian country.
Wang's remarks came after the U.S.-led security alliance called on China to "abstain from supporting Russia's war effort in any way, and to refrain from any action that helps Russia circumvent sanctions" in a statement issued after the NATO summit.
China will support dialogue, provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and try to promote the political resolution of the crisis in tandem with the international community, Wang said.
With the war in Ukraine intensifying, China has still shied away from condemning Russia's attack on Ukraine, while opposing sanctions imposed mostly by Western nations such as the United States.
China may be reluctant to join hands with democratic countries in punishing Russia with sanctions as it could benefit from being the only major economy to continue trade with Russia, foreign affairs experts said.
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