China vows to use anti-sanctions law if US ban on Huawei chips enforced

The Ministry of Commerce has called Washington’s measures to prohibit the use of Chinese chips a “typical” act of “unilateral bullying and protectionism”, according to a statement on Wednesday.

“The US has abused export controls to suppress China, which is a violation of international laws and the principles of international relations. This severely harms the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and undermines China’s development interests.”

Organisations or individuals who enforce – or assist in implementing – Washington’s measures would face legal consequences under China’s anti-sanction law, the ministry warned.

Beijing would closely monitor the US measures and take bold actions to defend its interests, the ministry said.

He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Beijing-based think tank Centre for China and Globalisa­tion, said these countermeasures differ from previous moves by including third parties enforcing the US advisory, instead of targeting specific American firms.

01:26

China’s Xi doubles down on self-reliance, rallying officials to bolster manufacturing

China’s Xi doubles down on self-reliance, rallying officials to bolster manufacturing

This was done because of the nature of the new US ban, he said; as Washington’s sanctions would be imposed globally, Beijing’s must do the same.