China condemns “unreasonable oppression” as US expands economic blacklist Reuters

SHANGHAI (Reuters) -China said on Sunday that it was “absolutely opposed” to adding 23 Chinese organizations to the US economic blacklist, including alleged human rights violations and military ties.

The Ministry of Commerce said in a statement that the incorporation of Chinese institutions is a “grave violation of international economic and trade rules” and an “unreasonable oppression” of Chinese companies.

Beijing will “take the necessary measures to protect China’s legitimate rights and interests,” the spokesman said.

The U.S. Department of Commerce said Friday that it had added 14 companies and other entities to its economic blacklist, saying it was “involved in human rights violations and abuses in the Chinese crackdown, mass arrest and high-tech surveillance campaign. Uyghurs, Kazakhs and Xinjiang Uyghur regions other members of autonomous minority Muslim groups. “

Beijing denies the alleged abuses.

Entities included in the economic blacklist typically must apply for licenses from the Department of Commerce and conduct rigorous examinations when U.S. suppliers request permission to receive items.

Washington also added five entities that support China’s military modernization programs related to laser and battle management systems. He identified four other entities for “attempting to export and export articles” to organizations already sanctioned by the US

One of the added entities, Wuhan Raycus Fiber Laser Technologies Co., said in an exchange on Sunday that blacklisting would not have a significant impact on its research and production.

In 2019, Donald Trump, then president of the Commerce Department, headed 20 Chinese public security offices and eight companies, including video surveillance company Hikvision, and face recognition technology leaders SenseTime Group Ltd and Megvii Technology Ltd for their treatment of Muslim minorities in China.