China on Thursday strongly condemned and firmly opposed the United States' decision to add three Chinese entities to the so-called "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List," accusing Washington of using human rights as a pretext to suppress Chinese businesses and pursue unilateral protectionism.

There is no forced labor in China, and people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang enjoy freedom and equality in employment, with their labor rights and interests effectively protected by law, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said in response to the US Department of Homeland Security's announcement that it had added three Chinese entities to the list.

The US measures have no factual basis, the spokesperson said, accusing the US side of persistently manipulating human rights issues to pursue unilateral protectionism and bullying under the guise of human rights protection. 

The spokesperson noted that the United States had recently added a large number of Chinese entities to the same list. China had lodged solemn representations with the US side and taken resolute countermeasures.

Disregarding China's firm opposition, the United States has continued to impose new sanctions, this time targeting Chinese biomedical technology companies, the spokesperson said.

Such actions run counter to the consensus reached by the two heads of state, seriously undermine the stability of China-US economic and trade relations, and run counter to humanitarian principles, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson urged the United States to immediately stop its political manipulation and smear campaigns and cease its unjustified suppression of Chinese companies, adding that China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its own interests.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun also reiterated Beijing's opposition to the US decision at a regular press conference on Thursday, accusing Washington of repeatedly spreading what China describes as false allegations concerning Xinjiang and using claims of forced labor as a pretext to target Chinese enterprises.

Guo said the allegations of forced labor were a century-old lie fabricated by anti-China forces, aimed at destabilizing Xinjiang, smearing China and containing its development. 

China urged the United States to stop interfering in China's internal affairs and seeking to contain its development under the guise of human rights, Guo said, adding that China would take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. 

(With input from Xinhua)