Ministry: Foreign firms won't disregard own interests

Enterprises in any country will not disregard their own interests and blindly follow other countries' "political command", Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Thursday, after companies confirmed cooperation with Chinese telecommunications equipment maker Huawei will continue.

Panasonic made a "solemn statement" on Thursday that it is supplying Huawei normally, rebuking reports that it will cut parts of the component supply. British Telecom, parent group of telecom operator EE, said on Wednesday Huawei will continue to supply their 5G radio network infrastructure, Xinhua reported.

China hopes that the US can take a serious attitude about going back to the negotiating table and ensure that negotiations are meaningful, said Lu.

Lu's comment followed US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin's comments on Wednesday that he is hopeful that both countries can "go back to the table".

Lu told a Foreign Ministry news briefing that China has reiterated that its door is always open, but negotiations must be meaningful and conducted with sincerity.

"A mutually beneficial deal must be based on mutual respect, equality and win-win outcomes," he said.

The US, out of political purposes, has used its state power to groundlessly suppress Chinese tech firms, which has severely affected the global development and cooperation in science and technology, he said.

It has also damaged the interests of businesses of relevant countries and will not win the approval and support of the international society, he added.

"Apparently it will not help create a good atmosphere for the negotiations," he said.