China accuses US of 'creating panic' with sanctions against Russia as troops invade Ukraine

• China on Wednesday accused the US of "creating panic" over Ukraine.
• Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson criticized the US sanctions leveled against Russia.

The Chinese government on Wednesday accused the United States of "creating panic" and sharpening tensions after the Biden administration slapped sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters during a press conference that the "US has been sending weapons to Ukraine, heightening tensions, creating panic and even hyping up the possibility of warfare."

"A key question here is what role the US — the culprit of current tensions surrounding Ukraine — has played," Chunying said. "If someone keeps pouring oil on the flame while accusing others of not doing their best to put out the fire, such kind of behavior is clearly irresponsible and immoral."

When asked by a reporter whether China would join the US, United Kingdom and the European Union in sanctioning Russia over its aggression in Ukraine, Chunying replied, "Apparently you lack basic knowledge of the Chinese government's policy. Our position is that sanctions are never fundamentally effective means to solve problems."

"We consistently oppose all illegal unilateral sanctions," she said.

Chunying continued, "I would also like to point out that the illegal unilateral sanctions by some countries including the US has caused severe difficulties to relevant countries' economy and livelihood."

"When handling the Ukraine issue and relations with Russia, the US mustn't harm the legitimate rights and interests of China and other parties," said Chunying.

Though China suggested that sanctions are not an effective means of approaching geopolitical crises or disputes, Beijing has often employed them against the US — including against US defense contractors in the past week over arms sales to Taiwan.

Beijing and Moscow tend to side with one another on geopolitical issues — China even issued a joint statement with Moscow earlier this month that condemned NATO.

As countries across the world vehemently condemned Russia's actions this week as a blatant assault on international norms, China sought to take a more neutral tone.

At an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Monday night, China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said, "The current situation in Ukraine is the result of many complex factors. China always makes its own position according to the merits of the matter itself. We believe that all countries should solve international disputes by peaceful means in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter."