China is criticizing the West for imposing new sanctions on Iran over its controversial nuclear program.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told reporters in Beijing Wednesday the fresh sanctions will make the situation more complicated and could hurt the chances for peace and stability.

China's condemnation of Western sanctions follows similar statements from Russia's foreign ministry. Moscow Tuesday called the sanctions “unacceptable and contradictory to international law.”

The United States, Canada and Britain each announced new steps Monday to increase economic pressure against Iran in response to international concerns Tehran is developing nuclear weapons.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast on Tuesday called the new sanctions “propaganda and psychological warfare.” He predicted they would prove ineffective, saying Iran's trade and economic ties with the U.S. and Britain are small anyway.

The International Atomic Energy Agency released a report earlier this month citing intelligence about Iranian efforts to develop the technology needed to build nuclear weapons. Iran has said the report is based on fabrications and insists its nuclear program is peaceful.