Beijing, Oct. 14 -- China on Tuesday imposed sanctions on five US-linked subsidiaries of South Korean Hanwha Ocean Corporation, in response to Washington's probe into China's maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding industries, according to an official statement, state media reported.

The sanctions, announced by China's Ministry of Commerce, will take effect today.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry, as cited by Global Times, said that the US actions "seriously violate international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and gravely undermine the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises."

It added that the US subsidiaries of the Hanwha Ocean Corporation have "assisted and supported investigations conducted by ...