China opposes U.S. removal of semiconductor firms from validated end-user list

China's Ministry of Commerce on Saturday voiced opposition to the U.S. decision to revoke "validated end-user" (VEU) authorization for three semiconductor companies operating in China.

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced on Friday that it would remove Intel Semiconductor (Dalian) Co., Ltd., Samsung China Semiconductor Co., Ltd. and SK Hynix Semiconductor (China) Ltd. from the VEU list. 

VEU authorization allows U.S. exporters to ship certain high-technology civilian items to pre-approved entities without needing individual export licenses for each shipment.

A spokesperson for China's Commerce Ministry said the global semiconductor industry is deeply interconnected, and that the U.S. move has turned export controls into a tool and will cause a serious negative impact on the stability of global semiconductor industrial and supply chains. 

The spokesperson called on the U.S. to immediately correct its wrongdoings and safeguard the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains, adding China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises.