China, Russia Have 'Right' to Trade, Beijing Says After Entity Listings

China said it “strongly” opposes the U.S. Commerce Department’s decision this week to add Chinese companies to the Entity List, calling on the U.S. to “stop politicizing trade and tech issues and turning them into weapons.” The listings targeted several Chinese firms for allegedly procuring export controlled items for China’s military modernization efforts or for Russia’s military (see 2404100018), but a Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson told reporters at a regular press conference April 11 that China and Russia “have the right to normal economic and trade cooperation, and such cooperation should not come under external interference or constraint.”

“We strongly oppose the US’s illegal unilateral sanctions,” the spokesperson said in response to a question from Reuters, according to the transcript provided by the ministry. “China will do what is necessary to firmly safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies.”