Consumers experience 5G mobile phones at a business hall of China Mobile Beijing Branch in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 31, 2019. Chinese major telecom operators announced Thursday the launch of commercial 5G applications during the opening ceremony of PT Expo China 2019 in Beijing. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

A Chinese industry watchdog on Thursday stated its opposition to the US’ latest move to bar Chinese telecommunications carriers in the US and urged it to correct its position.

The US’ revocation of Chinese telecom companies opening in the US is an abuse of state power to suppress the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and also damages US  business and consumers both domestically and around the world, The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said in a statement on Thursday. 

This comes after the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decided on March 16 to revoke the operating license for ComNet (USA) LLC and Pacific Networks Corp owned by Chinese telecom firm CITIC Telecom International Holdings in its latest move to bar Chinese telecommunications carriers from the US citing so-called national security concerns.

The FCC's revocation of license without listing specific violations is an unreasonable suppression of Chinese enterprises by further generalizing the national security concern and abusing state power, the MIIT said.

The move has severely damaged the business environment in the US, harmed the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and consumers around the world, including US users, the MIIT said.

It urged the US side to withdraw its unfair decision against Chinese companies, stop politicizing economic issues, and create a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies to invest and develop in the US. 

“China will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies,” the ministry said.

Global Times