Beijing has announced sanctions against a US ally over its alleged role in constraining China’s maritime and shipbuilding industries – marking an escalation in tensions in the strategic sector.
The move came as Washington enforced port fees targeting China-built or operated vessels on Tuesday, and follows a commitment made in a previous regulatory update.
China placed five US-based subsidiaries of the South Korean shipping giant Hanwha Ocean on a countermeasures list, accusing them of cooperating with Washington in its curbs on China’s maritime sector, according to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday.
“Hanwha’s US-based subsidiaries have assisted and supported the US government in conducting the 301 investigation and imposing measures against China’s maritime, logistics and shipbuilding industries. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition,” the spokesperson of China’s commerce ministry said on Tuesday.
Beijing took action in line with the country’s anti-foreign sanctions law and related regulations, the spokesperson said.
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