WASHINGTON, August 12 (HS/RIA Novosti) - China will take the necessary measures to protect itself if the United States adopts a new bill on sanctions against Moscow that would impose duties on the purchase of energy resources from Russia, Liu Chang, the spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

China firmly opposes unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council, and will take necessary measures to firmly defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese businesses and citizens, the spokesperson said.

The practice of double standards, coercion and pressuring will ultimately prove to be self-defeating, he added.

Earlier in the day, the Senate-backed draft bill was introduced in the US House of Representatives, Republican Congressman Michael McCaul has said.

However, the lawmakers will begin reviewing it only in September, as they are on summer recess until August 31. If approved by Congress, the legislation will be sent to US President Donald Trump for signature.

Last week, the Senate voted 86-11 to pass the bill spearheaded by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (listed as a terrorist and extremist in Russia). The draft sanctions legislation provides for a reduction in proposed tariffs on the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas from 500% to 100%. At the same time, the bill would set the rate of duty for all goods imported into the United States from Russia at 500%. The document would also seek sanctions against the Russian Central Bank, Sberbank, VTB, and Gazprombank banks.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar