China slams US for blacklisting entities

CHINA said yesterday it “resolutely opposes” the addition of 23 Chinese entities to a US economic blacklist over issues including alleged human rights abuses and military ties.

The Ministry of Commerce said in a statement the inclusion of the Chinese entities was a “serious breach of international economic and trade rules” and an “unreasonable suppression” of Chinese companies.

The move, in disregard of facts, came on so-called grounds such as “human rights,” as the United States generalized the concept of national security and abused export control measures, according to the ministry.

Urging the United States to immediately stop the wrong practice, China “will take necessary measures to safeguard China’s legitimate rights and interests,” it said, citing a spokesperson.

On Friday, the US Department of Commerce said it had added 14 companies and other entities to its economic blacklist, saying they had been “implicated in human rights violations and abuses” against Muslim minority groups in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. China denies the abuses.

Entities included on the economic blacklist are generally required to apply for licenses from the US commerce department and face tough scrutiny when they seek permission to receive items from US suppliers.

Washington also added five entities it said directly support China’s military modernization programs related to lasers and battle management systems. It identified a further four entities for “exporting and attempting to export items” to entities already sanctioned by the US.

In total, the US added 34 entities to the list including some from Russia and Iran. Wuhan Raycus Fiber Laser Technologies Co, one of the added entities, said in an exchange filing yesterday that its inclusion on the economic blacklist would not have a substantial impact on its research and production.

In 2019, the US targeted 20 Chinese public security bureaus and eight companies over treatment of Muslim minorities.