BEIJING, March 1. /TASS/. China and Russia will continue normal mutually beneficial trade cooperation, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a briefing on Tuesday when asked whether sanctions slapped on Russia would trigger the growth of Russia’s demand for Chinese imports, as well as increase the role of yuan in bilateral trade.
"We have repeatedly revealed our position. We believe that sanctions have never been an efficient way of solving issues," the diplomat said, adding that "the Chinese side has always opposed any illegal unilateral sanctions."
"China and Russia will continue normal trade cooperation for mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit," he noted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on February 24 that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbass republics he had made a decision to carry out a special military operation. The Russian leader stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories. Western countries responded to the actions of the Russian authorities by slapping sanctions against physical and legal entities.