What specific action did China's MOFCOM take on 2 May regarding US sanctions on Chinese refiners involved in Iranian crude oil purchases?

On 2 May, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) issued a prohibition order directing five Chinese refiners—including Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery Co, Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical Co, Shandong Jincheng Petrochemical Group Co, Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group Co, and Shandong Shengxing Chemical Co—to ignore US sanctions related to their procurement of Iranian crude oil; this marked the first implementation of China’s blocking measure introduced in 2021.

Why did MOFCOM justify its prohibition order against complying with US sanctions on Iranian oil trade?

MOFCOM stated it issued the prohibition order 'to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens, legal persons or other organizations', and emphasized that China consistently opposes unilateral sanctions lacking UN authorization and a basis in international law.

China’s MOFCOM Orders Refiners to Ignore US Sanctions Related to Iran Crude Purchases

May 4, 2026

China's Ministry of Commerce ordered five refiners, including Hengli Petrochemical, to disregard US sanctions on Iranian crude imports. This marks the first use of a 2021 blocking measure to safeguard national sovereignty against unilateral restrictions.

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