China hits back at America’s ‘unreasonable suppression’ of Huawei
- After Washington announces new restrictions on technology giant, Beijing says it will ‘firmly uphold Chinese firms’ legitimate and legal rights and interests’
- Observers say China is likely to retaliate, but exactly how remains to be seen
Describing the move as the destruction of “global manufacturing, supply and value chains”, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Saturday that Beijing would “firmly uphold Chinese firms’ legitimate and legal rights and interests”.
“We urge the US side to immediately stop its unreasonable suppression of Huawei and Chinese enterprises.”
The US commerce department said on Friday that the new restrictions would “narrowly and strategically” target Huawei’s acquisition of semiconductors manufactured overseas but using American software and technology so as to prevent it bypassing US export controls.
US officials have repeatedly accused Huawei of stealing American trade secrets and aiding China’s espionage efforts, ramping up tensions as the two sides continue to fight a trade war.