Beijing urges US to correct its 'wrongdoings' swiftly after Washington sanctions Chinese companies over Cuba

China "firmly opposes US unilateral sanctions on Chinese enterprises as the move violates international law and the basic norms of international relations," the Commerce Ministry said, according to Xinhua news agency.

The US Department of State on Thursday designated eight entities and two individuals, and identified five vessels as blocked property "to further the Trump Administration's comprehensive push to end the Cuban regime's malign activities, both in Cuba and across our hemisphere."

The sanctioned companies included two Chinese firms, China National Electronic Import and Export Company (CEIEC) and Beijing H&C Technologies Co. Ltd., both of which the US accused of supplying the Cuban armed forces with components and equipment.

"In recent days, the US side has escalated sanctions and suppression against China and introduced multiple discriminatory restrictions, which have seriously harmed the rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, deviated from the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and undermined the stability of China-US economic and trade relations," the ministry said, according to the report.

It added that China reserves the right to take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.