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BEIJING (AP) — China accused Washington on Friday of improperly attacking Chinese language firms after genetics evaluation big BGI Group and 17 others had been hit with curbs on entry to U.S. know-how on safety or human rights grounds.
The Commerce Division stated it noticed a hazard that two BGI models may 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 present.
Different firms had been cited for his or her function within the ruling Communist Celebration’s navy modernization or weapons improvement 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 US is “fabricating excuses to suppress Chinese language firms,” stated a international ministry spokeswoman, Mao Ning. She known as on Washington to “abandon ideological prejudice” and “cease abusing numerous excuses to unreasonably suppress Chinese language enterprises.”
Mao stated Beijing would “firmly safeguard the reliable rights” of its firms however gave no indication of potential retaliation. The federal government has made comparable statements following earlier U.S. restrictions however usually takes no motion.
BGI Analysis and BGI Tech Options (Hongkong) Co., Ltd. had been added to an “Entity Checklist” that requires them to acquire authorities permission to purchase delicate U.S. know-how.
Their genetic evaluation “poses a important threat of contributing” to surveillance and repression of minorities, the Commerce Division stated. It stated there was a “important threat of diversion” to navy applications.
BGI Group did not instantly reply to a request for remark.
BGI beforehand denied accusations it supplied know-how to surveil Uyghurs and different Muslim minorities in China’s northwest.
Beijing retaliated for earlier U.S. restrictions by creating its personal “unreliable entity” listing of international firms which may endanger China’s nationwide sovereignty, safety or improvement pursuits.
Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Applied sciences Corp.’s Raytheon Missiles and Protection unit had been added to the restricted listing final month after they equipped weapons to Taiwan, the island democracy claimed by Beijing as a part of its territory. They’re barred from importing items into China or making new investments within the nation.
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