Beijing hit back at Washington Friday (September 21) over new sanctions on its military.

The White House said it's punishing China for buying fighter jets and missiles from Russia.

The Foreign Ministry says it strongly urges the U.S. to roll back the penalties.

The U.S. says China's purchase of Russian hardware was a breach of sanctions America used to penalize Moscow for meddling in the 2016 elections.

The State department said the sanctions would be imposed immediately, for what it called a 'significant transaction'.

But a U.S. official told Reuters the real target here is Moscow - not Beijing - despite an escalating trade war between the two feuding nations.

The official - who spoke on condition of anonymity- said the new sanctions are aimed at - quote: "imposing costs upon Russia, in response to its malign activities." Congress has repeatedly called on President Trump to take a harder line against Moscow, White House officials say they hope acting against China, will discourage other countries from following suit.

The exchange in question included 10 combat aircrafts bought in 2017, and surface-to-air missile system equipment bought this year.

The sanctions will block a branch of the Chinese military - responsible for weapons - from the U.S. financial system.

It also adds them to a black list of individuals, who Americans are banned from doing business with.

But analysts say the move is largely symbolic.

And a Russian lawmaker has already said the sanctions will not affect the contracts from going through.