BEIJING, March 10. /TASS/. Beijing intends to retaliate with harsh measures, if Washington imposes sanctions on China due to the discord between Russia and the US over the Ukrainian crisis, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Thursday.

"In the process of settling relations with the Russian Federation, the US is not entitled to impose so-called sanctions against Chinese companies and individuals," the spokesman stressed at a briefing. "Otherwise, China will provide a resolute and serious response."

According to the diplomat, Washington’s sanctions against Russia will not do anything to solve the Ukraine dilemma. "On the contrary, the US creates more headaches this way," he added.

As Zhao Lijian noted, Washington’s actions not only cause economic damage to the sides, but also "have a [negative] impact on the political settlement process."