EU Plans to Amend Cybersecurity Act; Beijing Threatens Countermeasures if Chinese Firms Discriminated Against
China's Ministry of Commerce warned that it will take countermeasures if the EU's proposed Cybersecurity Act, which aims to phase out high-risk suppliers like Huawei, discriminates against Chinese enterprises.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 20:36
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 21:02 (25 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 21:08 (6 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA, Beijing, 23rd) The European Union plans to amend its "Cybersecurity Act," a move widely interpreted as targeting Chinese tech firms like Huawei. After submitting comments on the draft amendment to the EU recently, China's Ministry of Commerce threatened today that if Chinese companies face discriminatory treatment, it may take countermeasures in accordance with relevant laws.
The European Commission announced a draft amendment to the "Cybersecurity Act" on January 20, planning to gradually phase out components and equipment from high-risk suppliers across 18 critical industries. This is widely seen as targeting Huawei and other Chinese tech companies.
The new Cybersecurity Act must reach a consensus with EU member states and the European Parliament in the coming months before becoming law. The Chinese side is attempting to influence the amendments and continues to send warnings to Europe.
A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce stated in a Q&A press release on the 20th that the Ministry had officially submitted its comments on the draft amendment to the European Commission on the 17th, expressing China's serious concerns and formal position.
The spokesperson said China believes the draft, under the guise of cybersecurity and supply chain security, introduces highly subjective and arbitrary "non-technical risk" factors. Specifically, the draft creates lists of "countries of cybersecurity concern" and "high-risk suppliers," aiming to exclude listed countries and suppliers "across the entire chain" in 18 sectors, including energy, transport, and telecommunications. This is "a typical practice of politicizing and over-securitizing economic and trade issues."
The spokesperson added that in their comments, China suggested the EU delete provisions regarding "countries of cybersecurity concern" and "non-technical risks," and delete or substantially revise the criteria for determining "high-risk suppliers" and related restrictions. China hopes the EU will attach great importance to and seriously consider these comments, strictly abide by WTO rules, avoid discriminatory restrictions, and maintain the stability of China-EU and global supply chains.
The spokesperson threatened that China will closely monitor the revision process and is willing to engage in dialogue. However, if the EU insists on enacting the law and discriminates against Chinese enterprises, "China will have no choice but to take corresponding countermeasures." They hope Europe will not underestimate China's determination to safeguard national interests, corporate rights, and prevent regressions in China-EU economic relations.
During a regular press conference on the afternoon of the 23rd, when asked for further details on specific countermeasures, Ministry spokesperson He Yongqian did not respond directly.
He Yongqian said she hopes the EU seriously considers the submitted comments. If Chinese enterprises suffer discriminatory treatment, China may take measures based on the "Foreign Trade Law" and "State Council Regulations on the Security of Industrial and Supply Chains" to protect legitimate rights.
She stated that China believes cooperation and dialogue are the correct ways to resolve issues and is willing to handle differences through consultation with the EU to jointly maintain stable global supply chains. (Editor: Yang Sheng-ju / Chen Yen-chun) 1150423
(CNA, Beijing, 23rd) The European Union plans to amend its "Cybersecurity Act," a move widely interpreted as targeting Chinese tech firms like Huawei. After submitting comments on the draft amendment to the EU recently, China's Ministry of Commerce threatened today that if Chinese companies face discriminatory treatment, it may take countermeasures in accordance with relevant laws.
The European Commission announced a draft amendment to the "Cybersecurity Act" on January 20, planning to gradually phase out components and equipment from high-risk suppliers across 18 critical industries. This is widely seen as targeting Huawei and other Chinese tech companies.
The new Cybersecurity Act must reach a consensus with EU member states and the European Parliament in the coming months before becoming law. The Chinese side is attempting to influence the amendments and continues to send warnings to Europe.
A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce stated in a Q&A press release on the 20th that the Ministry had officially submitted its comments on the draft amendment to the European Commission on the 17th, expressing China's serious concerns and formal position.
The spokesperson said China believes the draft, under the guise of cybersecurity and supply chain security, introduces highly subjective and arbitrary "non-technical risk" factors. Specifically, the draft creates lists of "countries of cybersecurity concern" and "high-risk suppliers," aiming to exclude listed countries and suppliers "across the entire chain" in 18 sectors, including energy, transport, and telecommunications. This is "a typical practice of politicizing and over-securitizing economic and trade issues."
The spokesperson added that in their comments, China suggested the EU delete provisions regarding "countries of cybersecurity concern" and "non-technical risks," and delete or substantially revise the criteria for determining "high-risk suppliers" and related restrictions. China hopes the EU will attach great importance to and seriously consider these comments, strictly abide by WTO rules, avoid discriminatory restrictions, and maintain the stability of China-EU and global supply chains.
The spokesperson threatened that China will closely monitor the revision process and is willing to engage in dialogue. However, if the EU insists on enacting the law and discriminates against Chinese enterprises, "China will have no choice but to take corresponding countermeasures." They hope Europe will not underestimate China's determination to safeguard national interests, corporate rights, and prevent regressions in China-EU economic relations.
During a regular press conference on the afternoon of the 23rd, when asked for further details on specific countermeasures, Ministry spokesperson He Yongqian did not respond directly.
He Yongqian said she hopes the EU seriously considers the submitted comments. If Chinese enterprises suffer discriminatory treatment, China may take measures based on the "Foreign Trade Law" and "State Council Regulations on the Security of Industrial and Supply Chains" to protect legitimate rights.
She stated that China believes cooperation and dialogue are the correct ways to resolve issues and is willing to handle differences through consultation with the EU to jointly maintain stable global supply chains. (Editor: Yang Sheng-ju / Chen Yen-chun) 1150423