U.S. imposes sanctions on China for buying Russian weapons

-Source-BBC- The US has imposed sanctions on the Chinese military over its purchasing of Russian military jets and surface-to-air missiles. It says such purchases contravene US sanctions on Moscow introduced over Russian actions in Ukraine and alleged interference in US politics. China recently bought 10 Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets and S-400 missiles. Beijing has not joined in the sanctions imposed on Moscow by the US and its Western allies since 2014. Its forces took part in giant Russian war games held earlier this month. Sanctions: What are they and why do countries use them? Relations between the US and Russia deteriorated rapidly after Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Russias alleged meddling in the 2016 American presidential election and military involvement in Syrias ongoing civil war increased tensions. Who is affected by the sanctions? Chinas Equipment Development Department (EDD) and its head Li Shangfu are sanctioned for completing significant transactions with Russias state arms exporter Rosoboronexport. The EDD and Mr Li have been added to a Blocked Persons List meaning any assets they hold in the US are frozen and Americans are generally prohibited from doing business with them. Furthermore the EDD is denied export licences and excluded from the American financial system. Washington also blacklisted an additional 33 people and entities associated with Russian military and intelligence. What US law governs the sanctions on China? The Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (Caatsa) was passed in 2017 to provide the Trump administration with the necessary means to target Russia Iran and North Korea with economic and political sanctions. US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Thursday intended to allow the sanctions to be implemented. The Trump-Russia saga in 200 words US punishes Russians over vote meddling The ultimate target of these sanctions is Russia a senior administration official told journalists. Caatsa sanctions in this context are not intended to undermine the defence capabilities