China on Thursday, March 14, assailed the latest trade mission sent by US President Joe Biden to the Philippines as its delegates supposedly ganged up "against China’s technological development."
The Chinese embassy in Manila alleged in a statement that the trade mission touched on national security and sounded "clarion calls for ganging up" against Beijing instead of focusing on economic cooperation with the Philippines.
"Many sober-headed Philippine individuals are questioning: Are the Americans really here to help the Philippines advance development?" the embassy said.
Its remarks came after US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a press conference in Manila that the US is constantly assessing the need to expand export controls to stop China from acquiring advanced computer chips and manufacturing equipment.
For China, Washington's imposition of restrictions on semiconductors export "not only violates the principle of most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment stipulated in Article 1 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and relevant provisions of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, but also goes against market principles, disrupts normal trade order, and interrupts the international production and supply chain."
The embassy called it a clear case of economic bullying.
"Such US restrictions on exports to China are under the pretext of 'national security.' However, these measures go far beyond their excuse and gravely hinder the normal trade of ordinary chips for civilian use," the embassy said.
The embassy called on the US government to cease "the wrong practice of politicizing, instrumentalizing, and weaponizing economic, trade, and sci-tech issues."
It also said the US must "refrain from enticing its allies into decoupling from China" as it "stands ready to take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests."