China Denounces US Addition of 6 Entities to Entity List Over Spy Balloon

China "firmly opposes" the U.S. move to add six Chinese entities to the Entity List over their ties to China's "High Altitude Balloons" intelligence and reconnaissance activities, China's Ministry of Commerce said, according to an unofficial translation. Responding to a reporter's question on the inclusion of the entities, the ministry said it hopes the U.S. "will stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies and will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies."

The move to add the companies came just days after the U.S. shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon in American airspace (see 2302100072).

The Ministry of Commerce said the U.S. has "abused export control measures" and suppressed foreign companies "[f]or a long time," urging the U.S. to end the suppression.