China rebukes US over ‘military’ labelling of its top firms

China's Commerce Ministry has voiced strong opposition to the United States' decision to designate additional Chinese companies as "military companies." Beijing accuses Washington of exploiting national security concerns as a pretext to stifle the growth of Chinese firms and undermine the global economic order.

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We firmly oppose the US decision to label additional firms as 'military companies,' accusing Washington of using national security as a pretext to curb the development of Chinese firms.

The ministry expressed significant dissatisfaction with the move, stating it disregards broader China-US trade relations, damages supply-chain stability, and harms the legitimate rights of Chinese enterprises. In a statement released on June 13, China urged the US to immediately reverse these designations and ensure fair, non-discriminatory treatment for Chinese companies.

Beijing issued a stern warning, vowing to implement "resolute and forceful" countermeasures if Washington fails to alter its course. This reaction comes after the Pentagon recently added several major Chinese companies, including Alibaba Group Holding, Baidu, and BYD, to a list of firms allegedly supporting the People's Liberation Army. This list is a revised version of one initially published in February but later withdrawn without explanation.

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The move ignores broader China-US trade ties, undermines the global economic order, threatens supply-chain stability, while harming the legitimate rights of Chinese enterprises.

The US action is seen by China as a deliberate attempt to curb its technological and economic development. The inclusion of prominent tech giants on the military-linked list could have significant implications for their global operations and supply chains. China's threat of countermeasures signals a potential escalation in trade and technology tensions between the two global powers.

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Beijing urged the US to reverse the designations immediately and provide fair, non-discriminatory treatment to Chinese companies, warning it would take 'resolute and forceful' countermeasures if Washington does not change course.