Photo:Xinhua

Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed strong opposition on Friday to US Commerce Department's announcement of considering new rules that could potentially lead to the restriction or ban of Chinese drones in the US citing national security concerns.

The US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced on Thursday (US time) that it is seeking public comments on a rule to "safeguard the information and communication technology and services supply chain for unmanned aircraft systems, or drones," according to an online release.

The new rule claimed that commercial drones could be remotely accessed and manipulated by China and Russia, "exposing sensitive US data."

China stands firmly opposed to the US' overstretching the concept of national security, disrupting and restricting normal international trade and economic exchange, undermining global industrial and supply chains stability, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a routine press conference on Friday.

China will take all necessary measures to firmly defend its legitimate and lawful rights and interests, Mao said.