China has criticised the US for imposing sanctions on Chinese companies that the US says exported missile technology and accused the United States of hypocrisy for selling nuclear-capable cruise missiles.
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The US announced penalties on three companies it said were engaged in unspecified "missile technology proliferation activities".
It said they were barred from US markets and from obtaining technology that can be used to make weapons.
"This is a typical hegemonic action. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes it," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.
"China urges the United States to immediately correct its mistakes, revoke the relevant sanctions and stop suppressing Chinese enterprises and smearing China."
China accounted for about 5 per cent of global weapons exports in 2016-20, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
The US was the top global exporter, accounting for 37 per cent of the total in 2016-20.
Cruise missiles and long-range ballistic missiles are regarded as among China's strengths in weapons technology.
Zhao defended China's controls on weapons exports.
He said China opposes proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and strictly controls exports of missiles.
"Normal co-operation between China and relevant countries doesn't violate any international law and doesn't involve proliferation of WMD," Zhao said.
Zhao pointed to US plans to sell Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads to Australia's government.
"The United States has overtly pursued double standards," Zhao said.
The latest US penalties apply to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp First Academy, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp Fourth Academy and Poly Technologies Inc and their subsidiaries.
Australian Associated Press
