China has expressed strong opposition to the U.S. plans to further tighten controls on the China's access to sophisticated semiconductor technologies, said a spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce.
The spokesperson made the statement Friday when asked to comment on the media report that the United States is considering even stricter measures that would put pressure on companies in countries like Japan and the Netherlands to restrict chip trade with China.
"Semiconductor is a highly globalized industry. After decades of development, it is deeply integrated and is a result of both the law of the market and the choices of businesses. Over a certain period, the United States has repeatedly generalized the concept of national security, abused export control measures, deliberately divided the global semiconductor market, and interfered with and distorted normal international commercial exchanges between companies in different countries. Such moves seriously deviated from the principles of free trade and multilateral trade rules, and severely affected the stability of the global industrial and supply chains. China has always been firmly opposed to these," responded the spokesperson.
It is hoped that relevant countries will adhere to market principles, respect the spirit of contract and take measures to resist the U.S. coercion to jointly safeguard the stability of the global industry and supply chains, added the spokesperson.
China opposes U.S. export controls on semiconductor chips: MOC
Multiple handheld pager explosions struck Beirut and the southeastern and northeastern regions of Lebanon on Tuesday, leading to a temporary internet shutdown in the southern suburbs of the capital city, according to China Media Group (CMG) reporter Ci Xiaoning.
"I am currently at the entrance of a major hospital in Beirut, Lebanon's capital. Around 15:30 today, there were several explosions in the southern suburbs of Beirut. My Lebanese colleague, who lives very close to the area, experienced an immediate loss of internet connectivity. Reports have since confirmed that many handheld pagers were involved in the explosions," Ci reported outside a hospital in Beruit.
Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad confirmed that the explosions resulted in at least nine deaths and about 2,800 injuries, with approximately 200 people in critical condition. The injured are being transferred to hospitals.
In a statement, Hezbollah said it is conducting security and scientific investigations to identify the reasons behind these explosions, adding that the group is "at the highest level of readiness to defend Lebanon and its people."
In a separate statement, the Shiite group blamed Israel for "this criminal attack," vowing to retaliate.
The Lebanese Council of Ministers stressed that the government, shortly after the deadly explosions, began contacting the concerned countries and the United Nations to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Israel has yet to comment on Tuesday's blasts. According to media reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a security assessment meeting at the HaKirya military base in Tel Aviv on Tuesday to address the implications of the explosions.
CMG reporter says internet shutdown following deadly pager blasts in Lebanon
