China has strongly criticized the United States over new investment restrictions, pledging to defend its legitimate rights and interests. On Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that by shutting out enterprises from the Chinese mainland and the Chinese market, the U.S. will ultimately harm its own economic interests and international credibility.
Lin’s remarks came after the U.S. released a memorandum on Friday outlining further restrictions on two-way investment with China. The memorandum listed China as a “foreign adversary” on national security grounds and imposed various discriminatory measures.
“We strongly deplore and firmly oppose this and have lodged serious protests with the U.S. side,” Lin stated at a regular press briefing. He emphasized that tightening security reviews targeting investments from the Chinese mainland severely undermines the confidence of Chinese companies investing in the U.S. and damages the U.S. business environment.
“China urges the United States to abide by international investment and trade rules, respect the laws of the market economy, and stop politicizing and weaponizing economic and trade issues,” Lin said. He added that China calls on the U.S. to stop undermining China’s legitimate development rights and stressed that China would take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
In response to U.S. restrictions on China’s shipbuilding industry and related sectors, Lin accused the U.S. of abusing its trade tools, violating World Trade Organization rules, and damaging the multilateral trading system. “We are strongly dissatisfied and firmly oppose these actions,” he said. “We urge the United States to respect facts and multilateral rules and immediately stop its wrong actions.”
Lin concluded by reiterating that China will take necessary measures to defend its legitimate rights and interests.
