Both Moscow and Beijing have lashed out at Washington's new sanctions on their military, warning the US could face consequences. CGTN's Jim Spellman has more on the situation.

China is responding forcefully to new US sanctions aimed at China's military.

GENG SHUANG SPOKESPERSON, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY "The Chinese side expresses its strong indignation of the unreasonable practice of the United States and has raised serious concerns. The United States has seriously violated the basic norms governing international relations and damaged Sino-US military relations."

The new US sanctions apply to a Chinese military department for purchasing Russian fighter jets and surface to air missile systems in 2017. The sanctions block the department and its director from doing business with US entities, accessing the US financial systems and applying for export licenses. The director also faces a visa ban- limiting his ability to travel to the US.

The US says the sanctions are aimed at Russia- not China.

The state department says "Today's actions are not intended to undermine the military capabilities or combat readiness of any country, but rather to impose costs on Russia in response to its interference in the United States election process, its unacceptable behavior in eastern Ukraine, and other malign activities." 

The new sanctions also hit 33 "persons" associated with Russia's military and intelligence services.

SERGEY LAVROV RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER "As for the new sanctions, which the US has imposed on some Russian legal entities and people, we have stopped getting surprised about them. These sanctions are nothing else but yet another act of unfair competition."

Chinese troops participated in Russia's annual military drills earlier this month. China has good relations with Russia and says it has broken no international laws and does not target other nations.

GENG SHUANG SPOKESPERSON, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY "China and Russia are comprehensive strategic cooperative partners. Both sides have been following the principle of equality and mutual trust for reaching win-win results. The two countries have kept normal exchanges and cooperation in various fields including defense. The relevant cooperation aims to maintain the legitimate interests of the two countries and regional peace and stability."

JIM SPELLMAN WASHINGTON "This new round of sanctions comes as the US is locked in an escalating trade conflict with China. Beijing is calling on Washington to immediately lift the sanctions or be prepared to 'bear the consequences'. Jim Spellman, CGTN, Washington."