China opposes forced tech transfers, ministry says

China firmly opposes forced technology transfers and there is no such thing as helping its businesses replace the US companies by forcibly acquiring technology, said the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday.

In response to a recent hearing at the United States House of Representatives, Shu Jueting, the ministry's spokeswoman, said the statements from the US side are completely at odds with the facts. The essence of China-US economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial and win-win.

Shu said that China welcomes companies from the US and other countries to develop and succeed in China, striving to create a market-oriented, rule-of-law and international business environment for all types of businesses.

"Mergers and acquisitions for the purpose of obtaining technology and intellectual property rights are normal business cooperation activities," she said, adding that mandatory technology transfers goes against China's Foreign Investment Law and defies economic principles.

The US should treat Chinese companies fairly and justly, providing them with equal treatment for their trade and investment cooperation activities in its market, Shu added.