China firmly against US espionage activities

China has the firm resolve and sufficient means to take necessary measures against the United States' espionage activities targeting China and Chinese companies in accordance with the Counter-Espionage Law and other regulations, the Ministry of Commerce said on Friday.

The remarks came after a senior official from the Central Intelligence Agency reportedly said the US was conducting broader espionage activities against China to counter what Washington described as military and economic threats, with Chinese companies in sectors including artificial intelligence, semiconductors and biotechnology considered "legitimate intelligence targets".

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson said the US remarks openly exposed its intention to use espionage activities against Chinese firms and reflected a continued expansion of the concept of national security into normal economic and commercial competition.

Economic competition is a normal part of commercial activity, and technological advantages are built through innovation, talent and sustained investment. Interference by US intelligence agencies would disrupt normal business activities, undermine corporate confidence and damage a fair global market environment, said the spokesperson in an online statement.

According to the information released by the Ministry of Commerce, the US has long accused other countries of using spying activities to harm US commercial interests, yet now seeks to portray its own espionage targeting economic competitors as legitimate.

The commerce official stressed China's advances in AI, semiconductors, biotechnology and other fields are the result of sustained efforts by Chinese researchers and companies, rather than grounds for foreign intelligence operations.

The spokesperson warned the US to immediately stop espionage activities targeting China, including Chinese companies, and cease all actions that harm China's sovereignty, security and development interests.

zhongnan@chinadaily.com.cn