China Accuses US of Suppression Over Humanoid Robot Ban

Beijing has accused the United States of attempting to "suppress" Chinese companies following Washington's ban on imports of humanoid and quadruped robots. The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added "advanced robotic devices" to its list of prohibited items, citing national security concerns. China's foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, stated that Beijing "firmly opposes" the move, which she described as the US overstretching the concept of national security to target Chinese firms. "China has always firmly opposed the US overstretching the concept of national security to suppress Chinese companies," Mao told a regular news conference. She added that Beijing will take "necessary measures" to safeguard the rights and interests of Chinese companies. Mao also argued that "protectionism cannot enhance US competitiveness. It will only harm the interests of American companies and consumers." The FCC's decision was based on findings from a White House task force, which concluded that foreign-built robots could pose a "cybersecurity risk that threatens the security of critical infrastructure" and endanger the safety of US residents. Most humanoid robots in the US are used in industrial settings like factories and warehouses. The FCC's list already included certain types of drones and Chinese companies Huawei and China Telecom. The ban now extends to "mobile robots" that mimic human or animal movement.

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China has always firmly opposed the US overstretching the concept of national security to suppress Chinese companies.