China strongly opposes fresh U.S. sanctions imposed on three Chinese companies and will take countermeasures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese firms, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Saturday.

Axar.az reports that the U.S. State Department on Friday announced penalties on China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) First Academy, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) Fourth Academy, and Poly Technologies Incorporated (PTI) and their subsidiaries, claiming that they were engaged in "unspecified missile technology proliferation activities."

"Without any factual basis, the U.S. has recklessly suppressed and sanctioned Chinese companies, seriously harming the interests of companies of both countries, disrupting the international economic and trade order, threatening the security and stability of the global industrial chain and supply chain, which is harmful to the recovery and development of the world economy," MOFCOM spokesperson said in a statement published on its website.