China’s Ministry of Commerce stated on Sunday that it “resolutely opposes” the addition of 23 Chinese entities to the US economic blacklist on grounds including suspected violations of human rights and military relations.
The Ministry of Commerce of China quoted a spokesperson as saying in a statement that the entry of Chinese entities is a “serious violation of international economic and trade rules” and an “unreasonable suppression” of Chinese companies.
The statement said that the Chinese government “will take necessary measures to safeguard China’s legitimate rights and interests.”
The U.S. Department of Commerce said on Friday that it had added 14 companies and other entities to its economic blacklist, stating that they were “suspicion of violating and trampling human rights in the process of Chinese repression, mass detention and high-tech surveillance campaigns. Members of the Uighurs, Kazakhs and other Muslim minorities.”
Beijing denies any alleged abuse of power.
Entities included in the economic blacklist usually need to apply for a license from the Department of Commerce and face strict scrutiny when seeking permission to receive goods from US suppliers.
Washington also added five entities that allegedly directly support China’s military modernization programs related to lasers and battle management systems.It identified four other entities “exporting and attempting to export items” to entities that have been sanctioned by the United States
In 2019, the Ministry of Commerce under the leadership of then President Donald Trump targeted China’s treatment of Muslim minorities, targeting 20 Chinese Public Security Bureaus and 8 companies including the video surveillance company Hikvision. As well as face recognition technology leaders Shangtang Technology and Megvii Technology Co., Ltd. attacked.
