China on Wednesday announced a fresh set of countermeasures against the United States, including stricter export controls on drones and related technologies, in retaliation for recent trade and technology restrictions imposed by Washington.
Beijing also imposed sanctions on six US entities in response to recent American restrictions targeting Chinese companies and technology products, reports AP.
The measures were announced ahead of an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States in September, even as both countries have recently sought to stabilise relations between the world’s two largest economies.
China’s Commerce Ministry said the actions were taken in response to several recent US decisions, including the Federal Communications Commission’s restrictions on Chinese drone imports and Washington’s move to place 43 Chinese companies on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act entity list.
Beijing said the US measures had affected China’s legitimate interests and violated understandings reached between the leaders of the two countries, leaving it with “no choice” but to take retaliatory steps.
Under the new rules, exports to the US of drones, major drone components and related technologies classified as dual-use items – products that can have both civilian and military applications – will require government approval on a case-by-case basis.
China’s Commerce Ministry also announced trade restrictions on six US organisations, including Applied DNA Sciences Inc and the rights group Human Rights in China, preventing them from conducting business activities with Chinese entities.
Separately, Beijing banned Compliance Testing LLC from operating in China, accusing the company of assisting the US Federal Communications Commission in actions that it said threatened China’s sovereignty and national security.
Chinese authorities also launched a national security review of imported printing software and office equipment, though they did not name any specific companies involved.
Meanwhile, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation said US companies would no longer be permitted to carry out follow-up factory inspections required for China Compulsory Certification (CCC), a mandatory product safety approval system for electronic goods.
US manufacturers seeking CCC certification will now have to use auditors or certification bodies located outside the United States.
The latest actions come after a series of US restrictions on Chinese technology products.
In December, the FCC limited imports of newly approved Chinese drones, though some restrictions were later eased for certain models.
Washington also recently announced new controls on imports of foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters, citing national security concerns.
