China firmly opposes US semiconductor export control measures

China's Ministry of Commerce on Monday strongly criticized the United States (US) for its latest semiconductor export control measures, accusing Washington of "saying one thing and doing another" in its approach to trade, and of using national security as a pretext to impose unilateral sanctions that disrupt global markets.

In a statement, a ministry spokesperson condemned the US for "abusing export control measures" and expanding the concept of national security in ways that threaten the stability of global supply chains.

"The US has seriously obstructed normal international trade relations and undermined market rules and the international economic order," the spokesperson said, adding that "China firmly opposes such actions".

The comments came in response to the US announcement earlier in the day of additional semiconductor export controls against China. The new measures impose stricter restrictions on the export of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and chips to China, while also adding 136 Chinese entities to Washington's export control list.

The US control measures further extend its jurisdiction by interfering with trade between China and third-party countries, a move that China described as "economic coercion" and "non-market behavior".