Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang at the press conference on Tuesday Photo: Foreign Ministry website

China's Foreign Ministry dismissed on Thursday allegations that China is increasingly using its economic muscle to manipulate US companies and force them to abandon their values, following a controversy over how the US National Basketball Association (NBA) has handled a tweet by Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey that supported the Hong Kong riots.

"I have seen a report showing 97 percent of US companies being interviewed said they make profits in the Chinese market. Are these firms all being forced to abandon their values and being manipulated by the Chinese side?" Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a regular press conference on Thursday.

His comment was in response to questions about such allegations following the NBA incident. 

Geng pointed out that 74 percent of interviewed companies with the American Chamber of Commerce in China plan to further invest in the Chinese mainland market. 

China always welcomes foreign enterprises, including US companies, to come to China and operate their businesses, Geng noted.

China's policy to create a sound environment for foreign companies investing in the country remains unchanged and the lawful interests of foreign companies will be protected, according to Geng.

China continues to welcome foreign institutions to come to China for communication and cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, equal treatment, mutual benefit and win-win result, according to Geng.

The NBA faced backlash in China as tensions between the NBA and Chinese society triggered by Morey's tweet in support of the Hong Kong riots escalated. Its partners terminated deals and broadcasters stopped rebroadcasts.

The Shanghai Sports Federation cancelled an NBA fan event originally scheduled for Wednesday.


Newspaper headline: China doesn’t manipulate foreign companies: ministry