China condemns US move to blacklist Chinese firms, warns of countermeasures

BEIJING: China’s Ministry of Commerce on Saturday expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the United States’ decision to add several Chinese companies to its so-called “Chinese Military Companies” list, warning that Beijing would take resolute countermeasures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises.

Responding to media queries regarding the US Department of Defense’s announcement on June 8, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce said the move contradicted the consensus reached by the Chinese and US leaders during recent high-level engagements and undermined the broader interests of bilateral economic and trade relations.

“We have taken note of the situation. China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to the US action,” the spokesperson said.

The ministry accused Washington of continuously expanding the concept of national security, abusing state power and using discriminatory measures to suppress Chinese companies.

According to the spokesperson, the US action seriously disrupts the international economic and trade order, threatens the stability of global industrial and supply chains, and infringes upon the lawful rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.

China urged the United States to immediately reverse what it described as unjustified and discriminatory measures, stop politicising economic and trade issues, and return to the path of constructive and stable bilateral relations.

“The US should provide Chinese enterprises with a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment,” the spokesperson said.

The ministry warned that if Washington failed to correct its actions, China would take “resolute and forceful countermeasures,” adding that the responsibility for any resulting consequences would rest entirely with the United States.

The latest dispute highlights continuing tensions between the world’s two largest economies over trade, technology and national security issues, despite ongoing efforts by both sides to stabilise bilateral relations through dialogue and engagement.