After China’s Ministry of Commerce “strongly urged” the United States to avoid interfering with their domestic issues, and remove sanctions against Chinese companies, they blacklisted American technology companies, according to CNBC.
The Ministry claimed that their decision came as a result of the United States making irresponsible remarks on the issue of Xinjiang, as well as the continuation of the U.S. blocking the business affairs of Chinese companies. The U.S. refused to do business with a number of Chinese companies after claiming human rights violations against Muslim minorities in China’s region of Xinjiang were prominent.
The actions of the U.S. prompted retaliation and further warnings from the Chinese. “We strongly urge the U.S. to immediately stop making irresponsible remarks on the issue of Xinjiang,” stated a spokesperson from the ministry. “We also urge the U.S. to stop interfering in China’s internal affairs and remove relevant Chinese entities from the list of entities as soon as possible,” they continued.