China firmly opposes the UK's exclusion of Chinese products from its wind power projects on the grounds of "national security," China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Tuesday.

A MOFCOM spokesperson made the remarks in response to media queries about the UK government's decision to block Ming Yang Smart Energy's wind turbines in its offshore wind power projects.

The spokesperson said that the UK's decision contradicts its long-held commitment to "open and free" market principles, and it is detrimental to the development of the UK's local economies and the well-being of its people. He pointed out that it will negatively impact pragmatic bilateral economic and trade cooperation between China and the UK.

The spokesperson also noted that during the official visit of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to China in January, Starmer explicitly stated that the UK is willing to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, finance and environmental protection, aiming to support economic growth and deliver tangible benefits to people in both countries.

The MOFCOM spokesperson urged the UK government to provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies, earnestly promote pragmatic economic and trade cooperation between China and the UK, and promote the healthy development of bilateral relations.