Beijing — China on Monday said it opposes and condemns “illegal violence” after a gunman tried to storm the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a shooting that forced U.S. President Donald Trump and other officials to be evacuated. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters the incident “has come to China’s attention” and reiterated Beijing’s opposition to unlawful violence.
U.S. authorities identified the attacker as Cole Allen of California. Armed with a shotgun, a handgun and knives, he attempted to breach a security checkpoint outside the dinner, exchanged gunfire with Secret Service agents and prompted the rapid evacuation of the president and dozens of senior officials from the venue.
Separately at the briefing, Lin sharply criticized recent U.S. sanctions targeting one of China’s largest private refiners, Hengli Petrochemicals of Dalian. Washington announced measures that block the company and related entities involved in transporting Iranian oil from access to the U.S. financial system. Lin said China strongly objects to the sanctions and defended its commercial ties, noting Hengli is among many Chinese buyers of Iranian crude. China has maintained close strategic links with Iran in recent years and remained the largest purchaser of Iranian oil despite earlier U.S. restrictions.
