China criticises further US sanctions on companies

China on Friday opposed the US' inclusion of more Chinese companies onto a trade blacklist.

The US Commerce Department is reportedly considering adding around 80 Chinese companies and affiliates, including Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., the country's biggest maker of processor chips, to a so-called entity list.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a daily news conference that if it is true, it will be "another example of the US using state power to suppress Chinese companies."

Earlier this month, the Pentagon added four companies including Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. and China National Offshore Oil Corp. to a list of entities deemed to be part of efforts to modernise the ruling Communist Party's military wing, the People's Liberation Army.

Political analysts have said that US President Donald Trump was likely to take further action before President-elect Joe Biden takes office on January 20.

Also on Friday, Wang hit back the prohibition order issued by the US Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette Thursday that prohibits utilities supplying critical defense facilities from procuring certain power grid equipment from China.

The order is designed to protect the nation's bulk-power system from risks posed by China-related entities, according to the US Department of Energy.

(Image credit: AP)