China rejects U.S. using pretexts to sanction, suppress Chinese enterprises

China firmly rejects the United States' use of all sorts of pretexts to sanction and suppress Chinese enterprises, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said at a news briefing on Friday.

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the comments in response to reports that the U.S. Federal Register had issued a notice announcing sanctions against China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) First Academy, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) Fourth Academy, and Poly Technologies Incorporated (PTI) for engaging in missile technology proliferation activities.

The notice was issued on the U.S. government body's website, with a publishing date of Jan. 21, local time.

Zhao said that, for political reasons, the United States uses all sorts of pretexts to sanction and suppress Chinese enterprises. "This is typical bullying practice," said the spokesperson. "China deplores and rejects it."

He said that the Chinese government consistently opposes the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and their means of delivery.

China exercises strict controls on the export of missiles and related items, as well as technologies, in accordance with domestic policies, laws and regulations on non-proliferation, he said, adding that China's normal cooperation with relevant countries does not violate any international laws or involve the proliferation of WMDs.

In recent years, the United States has been flagrantly applying double standards on non-proliferation, said the spokesperson.

"Besides conniving at and supporting its allies' development of missiles and related technologies, it also plans to sell to Australia the Tomahawk cruise missile, which has a flight range of up to 2,500 kilometers and is capable of carrying nuclear warheads," Zhao said.

He stressed that the United States should earnestly reflect on its non-proliferation record and arms-trade policy, noting that it is in no position to make wanton comments on other countries' normal arms-trade cooperation.

"We urge the United States to correct its mistakes, withdraw the decision on imposing sanctions, and stop suppressing Chinese companies or maligning China. The Chinese side reserves the right to adopt further measures," Zhao said.