Pakistan, Oct. 17 -- BEIJING - China on Thursday defended its purchases of Russian oil as "legitimate" and criticised the United States for "unilateral bullying" amid rising tensions over trade and energy policies.

The statement came after former US President Donald Trump said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to stop buying Russian oil, and claimed he would pressure China to do the same. Trump accused China and India of funding Russia's war in Ukraine through their oil imports.

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Beijing's foreign ministry said its energy and trade cooperation with Russia is normal and legitimate. Spokesman Lin Jian warned that if China's interests are harmed, it ...