China says it will defend its research institutions, after US sanctions list

BEIJING - China's commerce ministry said on Wednesday it will take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate ‌rights and ⁠interests ⁠of Chinese research institutions, after the United States put them on a sanctions list.

Beijing firmly opposes ​the move ⁠and urges ‌the United ​States to ​stop "baseless smearing" of ⁠Chinese research institutions and promptly "correct the ​mistakes", the ministry ​added in a statement.

Last week, the U.S. Department of War updated its ‌list of foreign institutions engaging in what it called "problematic activities" ⁠to include Chinese defence-related academies as well as other universities, such as Shanghai's Fudan University.