On Wednesday, the United States expanded its list of Chinese companies identified by the Defense Department as allegedly collaborating with Beijing's military, as part of a broader strategy to prevent American technology from supporting China's endeavors.
The newly added entities, disclosed on the Department of Defense website and initially reported by Reuters, include prominent firms such as memory chip maker YMTC, artificial intelligence company Megvii, lidar manufacturer Hesai Technology, and technology firm NetPosa.
Against the backdrop of strained relations between the world's two largest economies, this updated list represents one of several measures taken by Washington in recent years to highlight and curb the activities of Chinese companies believed to contribute to China's military capabilities.
Responding to the US action, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington condemned the move, denouncing it as an abuse of state power. The spokesperson argued that it contradicted the US's purported commitment to market competition and international fair trade principles.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also urged the United States to rectify what it deemed discriminatory practices and to ensure a fair and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese firms operating in the US. Spokesperson Wang Wenbin emphasized that such actions violated principles of market competition and international economic and trade rules, undermining foreign enterprises' confidence in investing and operating in the United States.
The escalation of tensions between the two nations underscores the ongoing geopolitical and economic complexities shaping US-China relations.
