US sanctions on Chinese entities damage global trade ？

A loader moves seed cotton at a cotton ginning mill in Bachu county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in April. CAI ZENGLE/FOR CHINA DAILY

US sanctions on five Chinese entities for so-called involvement in forced labor in Xinjiang are serious damage to the global economic and trade order, said Gao Feng, spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce, at a news briefing on Thursday.

The "forced labor" claim in Xinjiang is completely contrary to the facts, Gao said, adding that the US is once again using state power to engage in protectionism and bullying in the name of so-called "human rights".

This is a serious threat to the security of the global industrial chain and supply chain, the spokesperson said.

The US side should immediately correct its wrong practices, Gao said, adding that China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and institutions.