China has expressed its strong opposition after the US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on certain Chinese entities and individuals on September 19, alleging their involvement in Iran-related drone and military aircraft development, said the Ministry of Commerce in an online statement.

China has noticed that the US decision to include some Chinese companies and individuals on its specially designated nationals list under the pretext of their alleged connections with Iran's unmanned aerial vehicles and military aircraft programs. China firmly opposes such actions, said the ministry's spokesperson in the statement.

The official said that the US's unilateral sanctions and extraterritorial jurisdiction practices undermine the international trade order and rules while obstructing normal economic and trade exchanges among countries. These actions also harm the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and individuals.

The US should immediately cease its unjustifiable pressure on Chinese entities and individuals. China is determined to take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, said the spokesperson.

In another development, the US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security released a rule on Monday to add 28 entities, including 10 Chinese companies and one individual, such as Asia Pacific Links Ltd, Hangzhou Fuyang Koto Machinery Co Ltd and Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics and Technology, to its Entity List, alleging their involvement in supplying drone parts to the Russian side in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.