Beijing: Britain should respect Chinese firms’ legitimate rights

Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, takes a question during a press conference on Nov 16, 2022. (PHOTO / FOREIGN MINISTRY, CHINA)

BEIJING – Britain should respect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for enterprises from all over the world, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday.

The statement came days after the British government blocked a Chinese company's acquisition of its biggest microchip factory, calling it a risk to national security.

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The British side has overstretched the concept of national security and abused state power to directly interfere in a Chinese company's normal investment cooperation in Britain, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a daily news briefing in response to a relevant query.

This violates the lawful rights and interests of the company concerned, and the market economy principles and international trade rules which Britain has long claimed itself to be a champion of, said the spokesperson.

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"We firmly oppose Britain's move, and call on Britain to respect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment," Mao added.