China has ordered its citizens and companies not to comply with United States sanctions against five Chinese refineries accused of handling Iranian oil, deploying a law intended to counteract “extra-territorial” punitive measures for the first time. China’s Ministry of Commerce issued the “prohibition order” after the US Department of the Treasury last month announced sanctions targeting one of China’s biggest independently run “teapot” refineries . Recommended Stories list of 4 items list 1 of 4 US pauses plan to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz list 2 of 4 Romania’s pro-EU government ousted after no-confidence vote list 3 of 4 China calls for end to Iran war and Hormuz to reopen during Araghchi visit list 4 of 4 US president Trump restarts Pope feud ahead of Rubio visit to Vatican end of list The move marks a significant escalation in Beijing’s efforts to counter what it views as the unjustified “long-arm jurisdiction” of US laws and regulations.…