China opposes US threat to impose sanctions on Ethiopia

China criticized a U.S. threat to impose sanctions on Ethiopia over a conflict in the Horn of Africa nation, saying the government has the ability to resolve its own issues without foreign interference.

“We oppose the wanton exertion of pressure through sanctions or the threat of imposing sanctions to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a briefing Wednesday. “The U.S. should prudently handle relevant issues and play a constructive role in restoring peace and stability in the country.”

Biden last week authorized the Department of Treasury and the State Department to pursue individuals and entities in Ethiopia and Eritrea involved in the conflict that erupted in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region in November. The U.S. threat of sanctions aims to bring warring parties to the negotiating table.

READ: Ethiopian Eurobond Yield at Record as Biden Authorizes Sanctions

China is Ethiopia’s biggest bilateral lender, with $6.5 billion in loans, or 23% of the total public debt burden of $27.8 billion, according to World Bank data. China is co-chairing a creditor committee that seeks to reorganize Ethiopia’s external debt.

The conflict in Ethiopia erupted when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered his military to respond to an attack by Tigrayan state forces on a federal military base. Troops from neighboring Eritrea supported Abiy’s army in a conflict that has left more than 5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. No fuel or medicine has been delivered to Tigray since Aug. 16.

Abiy is expected to form a new government in October, after a landslide win by his political party in elections earlier this year. Zhao said China wants Ethiopia to “realize national reconciliation and restore peace and stability at an early date.”