Measures unveiled to counter US curbs

China announced on Wednesday a raft of measures in response to restrictions imposed on Chinese companies by the United States, including placing six US entities on its countermeasure list, imposing tighter export controls on drones and related technologies, and launching a national security review into imported printers and copiers.

A Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said in a statement that the countermeasures were a necessary response to Washington's continued expansion of restrictions under the pretext of national security. China urges the US to immediately withdraw relevant restrictions, stop its wrongful actions and return to the right track of resolving differences through friendly consultation and cooperation, the statement added.

The spokesperson warned that China would take more countermeasures if the US insists on introducing new restrictions targeting Chinese entities.

Since the meeting between the two heads of state in Busan, South Korea, last year, the US Federal Communications Commission has repeatedly introduced restrictive measures targeting Chinese companies despite Beijing's firm opposition and calls from business communities in both countries for cooperation, the spokesperson said.

The US has continued to overstretch the concept of national security, with its measures covering areas including telecommunications operators, testing laboratories, drones, consumer routers and submarine cables, and it has recently imposed import curbs on advanced robotics equipment and power inverters.

To safeguard China's national security and interests, the ministry said that export controls on drone-related dual-use items destined for the US will be tightened, requiring case-by-case reviews for exports of drones, key components and related technologies, which will not be eligible for license facilitation measures, effective immediately.

As six US entities have assisted and supported illegal US sanctions related to the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, they will be prohibited from engaging in relevant transactions, cooperation and other activities with organizations and individuals in China, effective immediately, the ministry said.

Also on Wednesday, the National Certification and Accreditation Administration said it would suspend, with immediate effect, follow-up factory inspections conducted by US certification agencies on behalf of designated China Compulsory Certification bodies.

The ministry spokesperson said China's countermeasures were "overall restrained" and reflected its desire to preserve the hard-won stability of China-US economic and trade relations.

Experts noted that the countermeasures are aimed at protecting China's legitimate interests while avoiding further escalation of trade tensions. They emphasized that dialogue and rules-based cooperation remain essential for maintaining stability in global supply chains.

John Quelch, executive vice-chancellor and a distinguished professor of social science at Duke Kunshan University in Jiangsu province, said a stable international trading system benefits not only exporters and investors, but also consumers and workers worldwide.

The ministry also announced on Wednesday the launch of a national security investigation into imported office equipment with printing and copying functions that are equipped with foreign system software, marking China's first such probe under its foreign trade law.

Shi Xiaoli, a professor of international economic law at China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing, said the move shows China's efforts to build a systematic and institutional framework to address trade-related risks.

Contact the writers at zhongnan@chinadaily.com.cn