In a sharp escalation of tech tensions, China has strongly criticized the United States for what it calls an abuse of export control measures targeting leading Chinese tech firm Huawei.
The condemnation follows a recent U.S. announcement that utilizing Huawei’s advanced Ascend chips anywhere in the world constitutes a violation of American export regulations.
At a press briefing on Thursday, China’s Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian denounced the move, labeling it a “typical example of non-market, unilateral bullying” by the U.S. government. She asserted that the restrictions imposed on Huawei’s chip products were based on “unfounded allegations” and served only to undermine international trade and global supply chains.
“The United States has once again abused its export control tools by enforcing stricter, unwarranted bans on Huawei’s Ascend chip series. This action threatens the legitimate rights of Chinese enterprises and severely disrupts the global semiconductor industry,” He stated.
She further warned that such actions expose the United States’ protectionist and unilateralist tendencies, which run counter to the principles of fair competition and global cooperation. The spokesperson emphasized that these measures not only damage Chinese companies but also harm the long-term prospects for U.S.-China tech collaboration.
The Huawei Ascend chips, known for their powerful AI computing capabilities, have been a focal point of China’s push toward semiconductor independence. Blocking global access to these components could pose a significant setback to various industries reliant on high-performance AI hardware.
He Yongqian stressed that China will not remain passive and pledged that the government will take “resolute and necessary countermeasures” to defend its national interests. The move is expected to further inflame U.S.-China tech tensions already strained by ongoing battles over semiconductors, telecom infrastructure, and AI dominance.
As Huawei remains at the heart of China’s tech ambitions, the continued clampdown by the United States could spur more aggressive domestic investment and accelerate the nation’s efforts to achieve technological self-reliance.