China's commerce ministry on Monday slammed the U.S. move to expand export control measures in semiconductor manufacturing and advanced computing to China, saying the two sides could have cooperated in solving problems.

The U.S. government published a sweeping set of export controls to China on Friday, adding 31 Chinese entities to a so-called "Unverified List," claiming it could not inspect them.

However, the U.S. commerce department removed nine of the 33 Chinese entities from a February inclusion. Unlike the stricter "Entity List," companies can be removed from the "Unverified List" if they comply with an end-use review.

Through the joint efforts of China and the U.S., nine Chinese entities were removed from the list, demonstrating that it's possible to find a solution catering to companies from both countries when the two sides adhere to the principle of sincere cooperation and mutual benefit, according to a spokesperson from the Ministry of Commerce.

China is firmly opposed to the list expansion and new export control measures, the spokesperson said, calling it a typical act of technological bullying that violates the spirit of cooperation between the two sides and seriously hinders bilateral business transactions.

The spokesperson added that the U.S. move severely undermines market rules and gravely threatens the stability of the global industrial chain and supply chain.

The politicization, instrumentalization and weaponization of technology and trade issues by the U.S. will not stop China's development. Instead, it will backfire, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said on Saturday at a regular briefing.

(Cover via CFP)