China's countermeasures to U.S. additional tariffs 'legitimate and necessary'

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian on Tuesday reiterated China's opposition to the United States' imposition of additional tariffs on Chinese exports, saying the China's countermeasures are "legitimate and necessary actions to safeguard its own rights and interests".

Lin made the remarks after China announced 10-15 percent additional tariffs on a range of American agricultural and food products, in response to Washington's latest tariff move effective Tuesday.

Speaking at a regular news briefing in Beijing, Lin said China will play along to the end if the U.S. was bent on waging a trade, tariff war or any other kind of war.

"We urge the U.S. to abandon its bullying tactics and return to the correct path of dialogue and cooperation as soon as possible," Lin said.