China US Photo:GT

China will take "necessary measures" to firmly safeguard its companies' legitimate rights and interests, China's Commerce Ministry said on Sunday in response to US' move of adding 23 Chinese companies to a blacklist.

The US added 14 Chinese firms to its Entity List on Friday, over the so-called "human rights abuses" in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. China's Foreign Ministry expressed strong opposition to the US' interference earlier on Friday. 

According to the US Department of Commerce, a total of 34 entities were added to the blacklist on Friday, 14 of which are Chinese companies that the US claims to have enabled the so-called high technology surveillance against ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. 

The entities include the China Academy of Electronics and Information Technology, Xinjiang Lianhai Chuangzhi Information Technology Co, Shenzhen Cobber Information Technology Co, Xinjiang Sailing Information Technology, Beijing Geling Shentong Information Technology, Shenzhen Hua'antai Intelligent Technology and Chengdu Xiwu Security System Alliance, media reported.

Another five companies were also added for supporting China's "military modernization programs," according to a statement from the US Department of Commerce.

China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its companies' legitimate interests and to resist US attempts of interfering with China's internal affairs, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry said when responding to the US move.

The photo taken on April 25, 2021 shows the Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, capital of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo: CFP

"The US entity list is a tool to repress certain companies and industries in China in the name of human rights," Wang said. "It is a means by which the US plays havoc in Xinjiang region and contains China."

This is not the first time that the US has targeted Chinese firms over alleged human rights abuses. In June, the US Department of Commerce put Hoshine Silicon Industry (Shanshan) Co, and three other Chinese solar power companies - Xinjiang Daqo New Energy Co, Xinjiang East Hope Nonferrous Metals Co and Xinjiang GCL New Energy Material Technology Co - as well as the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps on the Entity List, citing the baseless claim of "forced labor" in the region, despite a high level of automation in the industry. 

China has repeatedly asserted strong opposition to the US' groundless accusations over Xinjiang. In late June, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the fabricated "forced labor" issue in Xinjiang is totally contrary to the reality on the ground and the accusation is "the lie of the century."

The US Entity List restricts the export and trade of companies. Entities on the list will be barred from having trade relationship with the US.

Wuhan-based laser equipment manufacturer Raycus said its inclusion on the US Entity List will not substantially impact its research, development and production, as it can basically self-make core components and materials and rely on a primarily domestic supply chain.

Global Times