China opposes U.S. sanctions on five Chinese firms over alleged trade-secret theft: MOC spokesperson

(ECNS) -- China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Tuesday voiced firm opposition to U.S. sanctions on five Chinese companies over alleged trade-secret theft, urging Washington to correct its actions as soon as possible.

On Monday, the U.S. imposed sanctions on five Chinese companies under the Protecting American Intellectual Property Act of 2022, citing alleged trade-secret theft.

The U.S. has hyped the so-called issue of "trade-secret theft," stigmatized Chinese companies and imposed sanctions on them, seriously harming their legitimate rights and interests, a MOC spokesperson said, adding that China firmly opposed the move.

The rapid development of Chinese artificial intelligence companies stems from their long-term commitment to basic research and sustained investment in innovation, as well as their pursuit of independent scientific and technological innovation and open cooperation, the spokesperson said. Their development benefits China, the U.S. and other countries in the world, and has nothing to do with the alleged theft of trade secrets, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson urged the U.S. to objectively assess the significant progress made by Chinese companies, stop smearing and suppressing them, create a fair market environment, and safeguard the broader China-U.S. economic and trade relationship.

China will take necessary measures in response if the U.S. fails to correct its actions, the spokesperson said, adding that China will firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.