By JOE McDONALD (AP Business Writer)
BEIJING (AP) — China accused Washington on Friday of improperly attacking Chinese firms after genetics evaluation big BGI Group and 17 others had been hit with curbs on entry to U.S. expertise on safety or human rights grounds.
The Commerce Department mentioned it noticed a hazard that two BGI models would possibly contribute to the federal government’s surveillance equipment, which human rights teams say is making an attempt to create a database of genetic samples that Muslims and different minorities had been compelled to offer.
Other firms had been cited for his or her position within the ruling Communist Party’s army modernization or weapons growth by Iran and Pakistan and suspected human rights abuses in Myanmar.
Washington has accused China of making an attempt to make use of civilian firms to acquire processor chip, aerospace and different applied sciences that can be utilized to make weapons. Beijing retorts that the U.S. authorities is making an attempt to cease potential industrial rivals.
The United States is “fabricating excuses to suppress Chinese companies,” mentioned a overseas ministry spokeswoman, Mao Ning. She referred to as on Washington to “abandon ideological prejudice” and “stop abusing various excuses to unreasonably suppress Chinese enterprises.”
Mao mentioned Beijing would “firmly safeguard the legitimate rights” of its firms however gave no indication of attainable retaliation. The authorities has made related statements following earlier U.S. restrictions however typically takes no motion.
BGI Research and BGI Tech Solutions (Hongkong) Co., Ltd. had been added to an “Entity List” that requires them to acquire authorities permission to accumulate delicate U.S. expertise.
Their genetic evaluation “poses a significant risk of contributing” to surveillance and repression of minorities, the Commerce Department mentioned. It mentioned there was a “significant risk of diversion” to army packages.
BGI Group didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
BGI beforehand denied accusations it offered expertise to surveil Uyghurs and different Muslim minorities in China’s northwest.
Beijing retaliated for earlier U.S. restrictions by creating its personal “unreliable entity” checklist of overseas firms that may endanger China’s nationwide sovereignty, safety or growth pursuits.
Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Technologies Corp.’s Raytheon Missiles and Defense unit had been added to the restricted checklist final month after they equipped weapons to Taiwan, the island democracy claimed by Beijing as a part of its territory. They are barred from importing items into China or making new investments within the nation.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”