China Accuses US of Using 'National Security' as Excuse to Act against Chinese Firms

“I don’t think this kind of behavior will be of any benefit to the US”, China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters at a daily briefing on Tuesday.

The US has “repeatedly abused the concept of national security, misused national power, and oppressed particular Chinese companies,” she said.

Chinese companies abide by regulations and market principles she added, Reuters reported.

The Pentagon on Friday listed 11 companies, including construction giant China Communications Construction Co, China Three Gorges Corporation Limited, Sinochem Group Co Ltd and China Spacesat, as having links with the Chinese military, laying the groundwork for potential sanctions.

Earlier in the year the US Department of Defense (DOD) document listed 20 companies operating in the United States that Washington alleges are backed by the Chinese military.

The Pentagon’s designations do not trigger penalties, but a 1999 law that mandates the compilation of the list says the president may impose sanctions that could include blocking all property of the listed parties.