China accuses US of attacking companies after export curbs

The Commerce Department stated it noticed a hazard that two BGI models may contribute to the federal government’s surveillance equipment, which human rights teams say is attempting to create a database of genetic samples that Muslims and different minorities have been compelled to supply.

Other corporations have been cited for his or her function within the ruling Communist Party’s navy modernisation or weapons growth by Iran and Pakistan and suspected human rights abuses in Myanmar.

Washington has accused China of attempting to make use of civilian corporations to acquire processor chip, aerospace and different applied sciences that can be utilized to make weapons. Beijing retorts that the US authorities is attempting to cease potential business rivals.

The United States is “fabricating excuses to suppress Chinese companies”, stated a overseas ministry spokeswoman, Mao Ning.

She known as on Washington to “abandon ideological prejudice” and “stop abusing various excuses to unreasonably suppress Chinese enterprises.”

Mao stated Beijing would “firmly safeguard the legitimate rights” of its corporations however gave no indication of attainable retaliation. The authorities has made comparable statements following earlier US restrictions however typically takes no motion.

BGI Research and BGI Tech Solutions (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. have been added to an “Entity List” that requires them to acquire authorities permission to amass delicate US know-how.

Their genetic evaluation “poses a significant risk of contributing” to surveillance and repression of minorities, the Commerce Department stated. It stated there was a “significant risk of diversion” to navy packages.

BGI Group did not instantly reply to a request for remark.

BGI beforehand denied accusations it supplied know-how to surveil Uyghurs and different Muslim minorities in China’s northwest.

Beijing retaliated for earlier US restrictions by creating its personal “unreliable entity” checklist of overseas corporations that may endanger China’s nationwide sovereignty, safety or growth pursuits.

Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Technologies Corp.’s Raytheon Missiles and Defence unit have been added to the restricted checklist final month after they equipped weapons to Taiwan, the island democracy claimed by Beijing as a part of its territory. They are barred from importing items into China or making new investments within the nation.