China has expressed serious concern over the moves by some European Union countries to ban equipment from Chinese companies, China's Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

China has consistently maintained that 5G is critical infrastructure for the development of the global digital economy, and that its construction and operation should respect market principles, technological neutrality, and international rules, He Yadong, a ministry spokesperson, said during a regular press conference.

China firmly opposes the politicization of technological issues and the overstretching of the concept of national security, He said.

China hopes that the relevant countries will promptly correct their erroneous practices and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies, the spokesperson added.