China accuses US of mobilising state power to ‘blacken’ its firms

“We strongly urge the United States to stop the unreasonable crackdown on Chinese companies including Huawei and treat Chinese companies fairly and justly,” said a spokesperson of the foreign ministry in Beijing on Tuesday.

The Chinese government sees strong political motivation and manipulation behind America’s bid to tarnish these companies. The government would ‘firmly defend’ Chinese companies facing problems with the US, said the spokesperson added.

Huawei also denied that it had committed any violations; the US government accuses it of lying to banks, stealing technology and violating trade sanctions.

“The company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of U.S. law set forth in each of the indictments,” the company said.

The US Justice Department has charged Huawei Technologies and Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of its founder, who is also the CFO of the group, for conspiring to violate US sanctions on Iran by doing business through a subsidiary.

Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver last month, following which China arrested two Canadians on national security grounds. Wanzhou has filed for bail.