BEIJING: Beijing on Saturday accused the US of “bullying” after Washington announced export controls on dozens of Chinese firms over alleged ties to China’s military.
China’s commerce ministry on Saturday said it “firmly opposes” the move, which will affect the country’s biggest chipmaker, SMIC, and vowed to “take necessary measures” to safeguard Chinese companies’ rights. US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Friday said the designations, which restrict US companies’ abilities to do business with the firms, are over an array of charges including human rights abuses and the activities of the Chinese military – particularly in the South China Sea – as well as theft of US technology.