China, Sept. 14 -- Agitated China has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal that NATO impose sweeping tariffs of 50 to 100 percent on Beijing over its continued purchase of Russian oil. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking in Ljubljana after talks with Slovenia's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, stressed that "wars cannot solve problems" and warned that sanctions would only deepen global instability.

"China does not participate in or plan wars," Wang said, according to Chinese state media. "What China does is encourage peace talks and promote political settlement of hotspot issues through dialogue."

Calling for greater international cooperation, Wang urged both China and Europe to act as...