A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry has insisted that Beijing will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its legitimate and lawful rights and interests in response to the imposition of unilateral sanctions on two Chinese entities by the United Kingdom.

Announcing the sanctions, the UK government claimed that the entities concerned supplied drone components and other military materials to Russia.

China always opposes unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or the authorization of the United Nations Security Council, Lin Jian told a news conference on Wednesday, adding that Beijing has lodged serious protests with the UK.

On the Ukraine crisis, China has been committed to promoting talks for peace and strictly controlled the export of dual use items, Lin said, adding that normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Russia should not be disrupted or affected.