Editorial: There is no need to be polite about the accomplices of the US sanctions against China
Introduction: China values the stability of the hard won economic and trade relations between China and the United States, but sincerity should be mutual and trust should be mutual. The countermeasures taken by China this time are generally restrained. If the US insists on introducing new restrictive measures against China, China's countermeasures will only become stronger. We will not be polite, nor will we be polite
On August 5th, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced multiple countermeasures and export control measures against the United States. The Chinese side has decided to include US entities such as compliance testing companies and applied DNA science companies in the countermeasure list, and prohibit organizations and individuals within China from conducting related transactions and cooperation with them. These measures are targeted and have clear legal basis. They are resolute measures to defend national interests and legitimate rights and interests, as well as necessary means to punish accomplices and promote reform through punishment.
Let's first take a look at what these American entities have done. The DNA Science Company and the Stratigraphic Reservoir Company have been conducting a long period of guilty screening on Chinese cotton exports to the United States. The executives of the DNA Science Company even openly clamored to "reduce the amount of Xinjiang cotton exported to the United States to zero". Altana Technology Company uses AI technology to track the Chinese industrial chain and provide "precise navigation" for US customs enforcement. The organization "Human Rights in China" has repeatedly stirred up issues related to Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong internationally, and is a habitual offender who interferes in China's internal affairs and tarnishes China's image... They have been countered by China in accordance with the law and are completely self inflicted.
As is well known, the abuse of foreign sanctions by the United States is not unilaterally carried out by the government, but is jointly participated by regulatory agencies, certification bodies, data platforms, industry alliances, and so-called "human rights organizations". Some institutions use the names of "compliance review" and "supply chain due diligence" to arbitrarily blacklist legally and reasonably operating commercial entities, impose supply or procurement restrictions, and create market access barriers. The above-mentioned US entities are important participants in cooperating with relevant US agencies to abuse sanctions against China. China's countermeasures are interrelated, precise and powerful, cutting off their interests in the Chinese market and making them pay a real price. This also sends a clear signal: China will never allow anyone to assist in implementing measures that harm the rights and interests of Chinese enterprises while also enjoying the dividends and cooperation opportunities of the Chinese market without being affected. There are still enough means in China's countermeasure toolbox that have not been used, and those who have ulterior motives should have a clear understanding of this.
It is worth noting that this countermeasure did not broadly target American companies, nor did it expand to the normal field of economic and trade cooperation. Instead, it adhered to the principle of "corresponding behavior and responsibility" and transmitted policy costs to relevant US entities directly involved in damaging the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. This approach helps to draw a clear line between engaging in normal business activities and participating in unilateral sanctions. The Chinese side has taken relevant measures in accordance with laws and regulations such as the Anti Foreign Sanctions Law of the People's Republic of China, in order to make this boundary clearer: normal commercial activities are protected by law, while participation in actions that harm China's sovereignty, security, and development interests must be punished.
Since the Busan Summit between the heads of state of China and the United States, the international community has generally looked forward to stable, healthy, and sustainable development of bilateral relations. In May of this year, China and the United States reached an important consensus on building a "constructive strategic and stable relationship between China and the United States", which is the basis for both sides to handle economic and trade relations and manage differences. However, the Federal Communications Commission of the United States continues to generalize the concept of national security and repeatedly introduces restrictive measures related to China, disregarding the consensus of the heads of state of China and the strong voices of the industry. In particular, the US ignored China's multiple negotiations and, after a video call between the leaders of China US economic and trade cooperation on July 30th, added more than 40 Chinese entities to the so-called "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Law Entity List" on July 31st. How can we talk about sincerity with such behavior? Where does credit come from? China has taken necessary countermeasures not to escalate confrontation, but rather to maintain the seriousness of consensus, prevent the accumulation of erroneous practices, and urge relevant parties to return to the track of complying with rules, equal consultation, and implementing consensus.
Only when the rules are jointly observed can cooperation have stable expectations. Precise countermeasures are precisely maintaining the bottom line of China US cooperation. US companies and institutions should carefully evaluate their behavior and avoid becoming tools for implementing unilateral sanctions policies; The US should also revoke unreasonable measures and stop harming the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. The economic and trade relationship between China and the United States is vast in scale and highly intertwined in interests. As long as the US takes practical actions to correct its erroneous practices, both China and the US still have the conditions to manage differences and expand cooperation. Maintaining cooperation cannot come at the cost of sacrificing principles and bottom lines, which is equally clear and firm.
The stability of China US economic and trade relations comes from the practical implementation of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state. The Chinese side cherishes the stability of the hard won economic and trade relations between China and the United States, and has always approached them with a constructive attitude. However, sincerity should be mutual and trust should be mutual. The countermeasures taken by China this time are generally restrained. If the US insists on introducing new restrictive measures against China, China's countermeasures will only become stronger. We will not be polite, nor will we be polite.