Beijing on Monday expressed its firm opposition to U.S.-led efforts to limit exports of high-end semiconductor technology to China, following reports that Japan and the Netherlands, which both have major chip-manufacturing equipment makers at home, have agreed to join the initiative.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning claimed at a press conference in Beijing that Washington has been "coercing" other countries to join its efforts to contain China, as well as "politicizing and weaponizing" technology, economic and trade issues.
"This seriously violates market principles in international trade order," Mao said, warning the United States that "attempting to block others' path would only bring itself to a dead end."
She urged relevant parties to "act prudently" based on their own long-term interests and the common interests of the international community.
In October, the United States unveiled sweeping export controls on certain advanced chips that China could use to train artificial intelligence systems and power advanced military and surveillance applications.
The United States has asked Japan and the Netherlands for cooperation in stymieing China's efforts to develop high-end semiconductors, as Tokyo Electron Ltd. and ASML Holding N.V. are major players in the global chip-manufacturing equipment market.
In response to the U.S. restrictions, China filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization in December, arguing that Washington has been "abusing" its control measures by expanding the notion of national security.
