China Announces Countermeasures on US  08/05 06:31

   China announced a series of economic measures Wednesday against the United 
States, including controls on exports of drones to the U.S. and a ban on 
dealings with six American entities, in response to recent restrictions imposed 
by Washington.

   BANGKOK (AP) -- China announced a series of economic measures Wednesday 
against the United States, including controls on exports of drones to the U.S. 
and a ban on dealings with six American entities, in response to recent 
restrictions imposed by Washington.

   Tensions are simmering between the world's two biggest economies ahead of an 
expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the U.S. in September, 
despite signs of warming ties during his meetings with U.S. President Donald 
Trump in Beijing in May.

   The Commerce Ministry said the sanctions are in response to recent moves 
from the U.S., including a ban by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on 
imports of Chinese drones, and the Department of Homeland Security's decision 
to add 43 Chinese companies to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act entity 
list to prevent imports of goods made with forced labor.

   The "measures seriously violate the important consensus reached by the two 
heads of state and severely damage China's legitimate rights and interests. 
China has no choice but to take necessary countermeasures in response," the 
ministry said in a statement.

   It emphasized that China was acting with restraint and urged the U.S. to 
scrap its measures against Beijing and cease its "erroneous practices." It also 
warned of further sanctions if the U.S. rolls out new restrictive measures 
against China.

   Beijing is requiring reviews on a case-by-case basis of exports of unmanned 
aerial vehicles, their key components and related technologies that are on a 
list of export-controlled dual-use items that can serve both civilian and 
military purposes.

   Six U.S. entities, including Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and the 
non-governmental group Human Rights in China, were banned from engaging in 
trade or other activities with entities in China.

   China also banned a company called Compliance Testing LLC from engaging in 
business in China because it had worked with the FCC in "harming China's 
sovereignty and security," according to a separate statement from the Commerce 
Ministry.

   The ministry also said it was investigating the possible impact on national 
security of imported printing software and office equipment, but it did not 
name affected companies.

   The State Administration for Market Regulation announced that companies in 
the U.S. that conduct follow-up factory inspections on behalf of Chinese 
entities for CCC certification can no longer provide these certifications.

   CCC certifications are meant to ensure electronic products meet a basic 
safety standard. The new rule will oblige U.S. makers of certified electronics 
to hire auditors based outside of the U.S. or to rely on other non-U. S. 
designated bodies for such certifications.

   In December, the U.S. FCC banned the import of new Chinese drones, though it 
later revised that ban to allow for some models.

   Last week, it also announced bans on imports of new foreign-made humanoid 
robots and power inverters, citing national security risks, in a move that in 
effect targets China.