China strongly opposes US move to revoke telecom license

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on Wednesday that it strongly opposed the US government's decision to revoke a license of China Telecom Americas and it will take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.

The comments came after the US Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday released an order on its official website that asked China Telecom Americas to discontinue related services within 60 days.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said in a statement on its official website that China Telecom Americas has been operating in the United States for nearly 20 years. It has been abiding by US laws, regulations and other regulatory requirements, and providing high-quality services to many customers in the US in accordance with commercial principles.

MIIT said the FCC's decision to revoke the Section 214 authority of China Telecom Americas was based on subjective speculation and suspicion, without listing any facts to support the charged violations of the law. Such a practice does not conform to the image of a market-oriented country in the United States, and it has also harmed the legitimate rights and interests of global consumers, including US users.

The ministry said in recent years, the United States government has disregarded the facts, and repeatedly sanctioned Chinese companies on the pretext of national security. This is an unreasonable suppression of Chinese enterprises by abuse of state power and a serious breach of international economic and trade rules.

MIIT urged the FCC to withdraw its decision, treat Chinese telecom companies in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner, stop the wrongful practice of overgeneralizing the concept of national security and politicizing economic issues, and provide a fair, just and nondiscriminatory environment for Chinese companies that invest and operate in the US.

China Telecom Corp Ltd said on Wednesday that the US Federal Communications Commission's order to revoke the Section 214 authority of China Telecom Americas lacked justification and harmed the legitimate rights and interests of CTA.

The comments came after the US Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday released an order on its official website that asked China Telecom Americas to discontinue related services within 60 days.

China Telecom said in a statement to China Daily that "China Telecom has strictly complied with the laws and regulations of China and related countries and regions including the United States, and has always been operating in accordance with applicable laws and regulations."

China Telecom said it will keep in touch with China Telecom Americas, pay attention to relevant developments, communicate the impacts on its related businesses, and seek appropriate solutions.