Justified countermeasures against unilateral US practices a stern warning: China Daily editorial

In response to recent restrictive actions by the United States administration targeting Chinese enterprises, the Chinese government has announced countermeasures against selected US entities.

The Ministry of Commerce of China announced on Monday that 10 US entities, including Aveox, Red Cat Holdings and Teal Drones, have been added to the export control list in accordance with the nation's law and regulations on export control of dual-use items.

In a separate statement, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce explained that the measure was in response to the US Defense Department arbitrarily adding multiple Chinese enterprises to an entity list because of alleged links to the Chinese military.

Also on Monday, the Ministry of Finance issued a notice prohibiting the purchase of products manufactured by 46 designated US companies in government procurement. Under the new measure, procurement entities participating in government purchasing activities are barred from buying products made by the listed US companies, which include Lockheed Martin Corporation and Raytheon Missiles & Defense.

The measure was approved in accordance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations, the Ministry of Finance said, adding the restriction does not apply to US-invested companies operating in China. By implementing these precise countermeasures, China aims to safeguard its national security and fulfill its nonproliferation obligations.

The measures, effective immediately, also highlight China's firm resolve to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises against unjust unilateral practices of the US, while reinforcing its commitment to core national interests and international norms. Through the specific measures, China has demonstrated that any action harming its legitimate rights and interests will incur corresponding costs.

Despite Washington's claim that it seeks to stabilize relations with China, earlier this month the Pentagon released an updated version of its list of "Chinese military companies", baselessly adding 65 entities that include Alibaba, Baidu and BYD.

The Pentagon has now groundlessly designated 188 Chinese companies as "military entities". The move aims to hype up a "military threat" from China and distort normal market competition.

China's Foreign Ministry has previously criticized the US for overgeneralizing the concept of "national security" to suppress Chinese companies, and expressed firm opposition to this practice. It has also warned that China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. The latest measures taken by the two Chinese ministries serve as an example of China making an appropriate response to the US moves.

China seeks healthy, stable and sustainable development in its relations with the US. However, it also understands that this goal cannot be achieved by making concessions, enduring grievances or swallowing the bitter pills of the unjust and arbitrary sanctions and other means of intended suppression from the US side. It is imperative that China respond reasonably and effectively whenever it is confronted with unreasonable sanctions and restrictions.

Notably, China's response has been largely confined to export control oversight and government procurement limitations, stopping short of sweeping market exclusions or financial penalties — an indication that it continues to seek to contain competition within a manageable framework. For instance, products manufactured by US-funded enterprises operating in China are excluded from these restrictions.

This approach embodies the principle of balancing a commitment to open cooperation with safeguarding national interests. Despite so, China's move is a clear warning to the US.

As the world's two largest economies, the US and China should seek to coexist through cooperation, mutual respect and responsible management of differences. For the benefit of both nations and the world, the US should meet China halfway by advocating strategic stability through cooperation and managed competition, rather than fabricating trade and technology disputes.