China condemns U.S. ban on transactions involving Chinese apps

Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned the U.S. ban on transactions involving eight Chinese apps on the pretext of protecting U.S. citizens’ privacy and data security.

The Spokesperson for the ministry, Hua Chunying at a daily news briefing in Beijing, said that China would take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises

“This is another example of the U.S. side stretching the concept of national security and abusing state power to groundlessly suppress foreign companies,” Hua said.

According to media report, the ban on Chinese apps including Alipay and WeChat Pay was ordered on Tuesday by U.S. President Donald Trump through an executive order.

Hua called the U.S. actions “hypocritical and ridiculous.”

Hua noted that the U.S. had always been the world’s largest “hacking empire.”

Hua said the U.S. launches groundless accusations against other countries while at the same time it monitors and steals secrets from others indiscriminately.

“It’s like a thief yelling that he wants to be protected from being stolen.”

Hua said the U.S. actions would have some impact on Chinese enterprises but, more importantly, they will damage the interests of the U.S. and its consumers.

“The U.S. talks about a free market economy and fair competition, but how does it behave itself?” Hua said.

She stressed that the development of science and technology should serve the progress and well-being of all mankind, rather than be treated differently by ideology or become a tool of political manipulation.
She urged the U.S. to earnestly respect market economy and fair competition principles, abide by international economic and trade rules.

The official also called on U.S. to provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for foreign companies investing and operating in the country .

Hua added that China would take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.