January 12, 2024
BEIJING – China and the United States should leverage the positive role of communication and exchange mechanisms between their commerce departments to create favorable conditions for business cooperation, said Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Thursday.
Wang made the remarks while engaging in in-depth and pragmatic discussions on trade and economic issues with US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo over a phone call, according to a statement released by the ministry.
Wang expressed serious concerns regarding US restrictions on third-party exports of photolithography machines to China, investigations into the supply chains of mature process chips and sanctions against Chinese companies
Wang expressed serious concerns regarding US restrictions on third-party exports of photolithography machines to China, investigations into the supply chains of mature process chips and sanctions against Chinese companies, the statement said.
Wang and his US counterpart also discussed the issue of national security boundaries in the economic and trade sectors between the two countries, the statement added.
Separately, a spokeswoman for the ministry said China expressed deep concern and strong opposition to the direct intervention from the US in disrupting the export of photolithography machines from Dutch companies to China.
The US has been instrumentalizing and weaponizing export controls, extending its interference beyond its own borders and affecting the normal trade between companies of other countries, and China firmly opposes such actions, said Shu Jueting, spokeswoman with the MOC, at a news conference in Beijing.
China has called on the Dutch government to uphold the spirit of contracts and support companies in conducting complacent trade, Shu said, emphasizing the need for a free, open, fair and non-discriminatory international trade environment.
The Chinese government will keep abreast with market dynamics and the impact of these interference measures, and will take necessary measures to firmly defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, Shu said.