China's Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law 'defensive measure' to counter containment, oppression: Spokesman

China's Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law is a defensive measure to counter others' containment and oppression, Zhang Yesui, a spokesman for the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress, said at a news conference on Friday.

"It is fair to say that the legislation is essentially different from the unilateral sanctions pursued by some countries," he said, noting that it is a common practice in many countries to respond to foreign sanctions and interference and long-arm jurisdiction through legislation.

According to Zhang, China has always proposed that the development of relations with other countries should be carried out on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence, adding that China has always stood against hegemonism and power politics.

"China does not seek to provoke trouble, but we will not flinch when the trouble comes," he said.

China will resort to legal means, including the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, to resolutely safeguard the country's sovereignty, security and development interests and to protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens and institutions when it faces acts of bullying, including arbitrary sanctions, the spokesman said.