China has expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the recent decision by the U.S. Department of Defense to categorize certain Chinese firms as “military companies.”
The Ministry of Commerce released a statement on Wednesday, condemning the U.S. actions as unjustified and detrimental to international trade.
The ministry criticized the U.S. for disregarding World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and market principles, accusing it of generalizing national security concerns and abusing state power. This, it claims, has led to groundless accusations regarding China’s military-civilian integration strategy, aimed at suppressing Chinese enterprises.
The statement highlighted that the U.S. move is disrupting the international economic and trade order, further undermining the stability of global industrial and supply chains. “China urges the U.S. to respect the facts and rules, immediately stop its wrong practices, and provide Chinese firms with fair, just, and non-discriminatory treatment,” the ministry stated.
In response to the designation, which includes notable companies such as tech giant Tencent and leading battery manufacturer CATL, both firms have dismissed the accusations as a “mistake.” The Ministry of Commerce indicated that China would closely monitor the situation and take all necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of its companies.
As tensions rise over trade and technology issues, this latest development underscores the ongoing friction between the two economic superpowers, with potential implications for global markets and supply chains.
