Ministry: US to blame for rising trade tensions

China will safeguard rights of foreign firms

All foreign companies' legitimate rights will be protected by the Chinese government, the Ministry of Commerce said.

In a response to a question about whether China would take certain actions against Apple Inc after the US government restricted Huawei's business operations, which has harmed the interests of companies and financial markets on both sides, the ministry's spokesman Gao Feng said the legitimate rights and interests of all foreign enterprises in China will be protected by the Chinese government.

China will stand firmly on further opening-up and reform, as well as creating a stable, predictable and fair commercial environment for all businesses operating in China, he said.