The Foreign Ministry on Thursday stressed China's firm opposition to illegal unilateral sanctions in response to the United States' threats to impose sanctions on countries purchasing Iranian oil.

On Wednesday, Washington said it believes China would not stop purchasing Iranian oil and it would sanction buyers of Iranian oil.

"China has consistently opposed illegal unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law and have not been authorized by the United Nations Security Council," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun at a daily news conference in Beijing.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn