China's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday strongly criticized the EU's newly proposed cybersecurity measures aimed at reducing the use of so-called "high-risk" third-country suppliers – moves widely seen as targeting Chinese telecom companies.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun described the measures as political manipulation and protectionism. China stressed that its enterprises have operated lawfully in Europe and contributed to the continent's digital development, warning that forced exclusion would undermine the EU's technological progress and market credibility.