China has expressed serious concern and lodged stern representations with the United States after the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to revoke the authorization for China Telecom's U.S. subsidiary to operate in the country, China's Ministry of Commerce said Thursday. 

The U.S. move generalized the "national security" concept, and cracked down on a Chinese company without factual basis, Shu Yuting, a spokesperson for the Chinese ministry, said.

This behavior violates market principles and has damaged the atmosphere for cooperation between the two sides, Shu said.

China will continue to take necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, the spokesperson said.