BEIJING: China said on Sunday it would take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests after the U.S. added 23 Chinese entities to a trade blacklist.
China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said it “resolutely oppose” the U.S. action, describing the move as “unreasonable suppression” and “a serious breach of international economic and trade rules.”
“The U.S. should immediately correct its wrongdoing,” said MOFCOM citing a spokesperson in a statement. “We will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard China’s legitimate rights and interests.”
The U.S. Department of Commerce on Friday added 14 Chinese companies and other entities to its “entity list” over the so-called “human rights abuses” in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
In total the U.S. added 34 entities including some from Russia and Iran, and another five Chinese entities over alleged military ties, according to a statement from the commerce department.
China has repeatedly denied the alleged abuses and military ties.
In recent years, economic relations between China and the U.S. have been plagued by friction, with Western countries led by the United States constantly imposing sanctions on China.
US President Joe Biden signed an executive order on June 3 to put 59 Chinese companies in a investment blacklist including Huawei, SMIC and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
On June 10, China’s Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law was officially passed and came into effect. The law states that China has the right to retaliate against hegemonism and discriminatory measures by foreign countries.
–The Daily Mail-CGTN News exchange item
