China's Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian Photo: Yin Yeping/GT

China firmly opposes the EU's discriminatory treatment of Chinese firms and the politicization and over-securitization of trade and economic issues, He Yongqian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, said on Thursday, in response to a question on the European Commission's proposal on Tuesday to introduce a new cybersecurity bill that would require the removal of components and equipment from so-called "high-risk suppliers" in critical infrastructure— a move widely seen as targeting Chinese companies.

China has noted that the EU released relevant documents on Tuesday requiring member states to exclude so-called "high-risk suppliers" from 18 key sectors, including energy, transport and ICT services management. China expresses serious concern over the move.

Chinese companies have long operated in Europe in a lawful and compliant manner, providing high-quality products and services to the European public and making significant contributions to the development of Europe's telecommunications and digital industries. However, without any factual basis, the EU has labeled some Chinese companies as high-risk suppliers and restricted their participation in 5G construction.

China believes that the EU's use of non-technical criteria to impose restrictions, or even bar companies from market access, not only seriously undermines fair competition and distorts the market, but is also self-defeating, creating risks and threatening the security of supply chains in the digital industry, He said.

China urges the EU to uphold the principle of technological neutrality in cybersecurity, refrain from overextending the concept of security, avoid going further down the path of protectionism, and not obstruct normal China-EU economic and trade cooperation. China will closely follow the EU's moves and will take resolute and necessary measures should the EU adopt discriminatory actions against Chinese companies, firmly safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, according to He.

Global Times