China Pushes Back Against US Sanctions on Chinese Satellite, Weapons-Procurement Firms Linked to Iran

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 11 pushed back sharply against the United States' May 8 sanctions on Chinese companies — including three satellite imagery firms — that Washington accused of supporting Iran's military operations. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular Beijing press briefing the unilateral US decision "lacks any basis in international law."

Guo said China opposes unilateral sanctions not authorized by the United Nations Security Council, and pledged that the listed Chinese firms would defend their legitimate rights and interests. "The immediate priority must be to prevent a return to conflict by any means, not to exploit the situation to smear other countries," he said, calling on Washington to step back.

On May 8, the US Treasury Department added five firms — including the China-based Yushita Shanghai and Hitex Insulation along with Hong Kong-based Hesin Industry and Mustad Limited — to its sanctions list, alleging they brokered procurement for Iran's weapons systems. The designation was the latest in a months-long OFAC push targeting the supply chain feeding Iran's defense industry.

The US State Department simultaneously announced sanctions on four Chinese firms — including Chang Guang Satellite Technology, The Earth Eye and MizarVision — accused of supplying satellite imagery used to target US forces in the Middle East. Chang Guang operates the Jilin-1 constellation, the world's largest commercial remote-sensing satellite fleet, and has drawn Pentagon scrutiny in recent years for allegedly furnishing imagery of sensitive targets.

Beijing's counter-stance arrives as Washington has steadily widened its supply-chain sanctions perimeter to more Chinese counterparties since the start of the US-Iran war. In preceding weeks, Treasury had targeted Qingdao Haiye Oil Terminal and shadow-fleet operators moving Iranian crude to Chinese shores. With the new package, the sanctions footprint shifts from energy imports toward precision-technology and weapons-component procurement — leaving Chinese compliance officers to double-check every export flow linked to the US financial system.

Key Takeaways:
1. China's foreign-ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun rejected the May 8 US sanctions on Chinese firms as a 'unilateral decision lacking UN Security Council authorization.'
2. The US Treasury added five companies — including Yushita Shanghai, Hitex Insulation, Hesin Industry and Mustad Limited — to its sanctions list for allegedly brokering procurement for Iran's weapons systems.
3. The US State Department separately sanctioned four Chinese firms — including Chang Guang Satellite Technology, The Earth Eye and MizarVision — accused of supplying satellite imagery to target US forces.
4. Chang Guang operates the Jilin-1 constellation, the world's largest commercial remote-sensing satellite fleet, drawing Pentagon scrutiny over alleged imaging of sensitive targets.
5. The new package shifts the US sanctions footprint from energy imports to precision-technology and weapons-component procurement, forcing Chinese compliance teams to recheck every US-linked export flow.

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