Following increasing pressure on Chinese firms by some foreign partners in light of the anti-Russian sanctions, the Chinese authorities will have to take measures, Shu Jueteng, an official spokesperson of the Commerce Ministry, said on Thursday.

"Certain countries have applied sanctions against Russia, creating obstacles to Sino-Russian trade and economic cooperation. Some foreign companies violate principles of market interaction and put pressure on Chinese enterprises demanding to ‘choose sides’," she said at a briefing, adding that "China will take the necessary measures and firmly defend the legitimate rights of its companies."

The spokesperson said that China does not intend to join unilateral sanctions that have been imposed on Russia without UN approval. "We are against any restrictions imposed unilaterally that are not based on international law," she stressed.

Shu Jueteng clarified that Beijing will not tolerate firms from any country threatening China's enterprises. She also noted that the Chinese side will be led by the generally accepted international rules and will contribute to strengthening the global free-trade system.